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THE CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE SECRETARY OF WAR, MAJOR GEN. 
WOOL, THE OFFIC@RS*OF THE REGULAR ARMY, AND OF THE 
VObU§fc®aERVICE OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 










WASHINGTON TERRITOR Y.— 


OLYMPIA: 

EDWARD FURSTE, PUBLIC PRINTER. 






/ 



I. SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. 


PAGE. 

From Gov. Stevens to the Secretary of the Interior in reference to the order of 
Lieut. Col. Steptoe, published in pursuance of instructions from Gen. Wool, 
forbidding American citizens to settle in the Walla Walla country, October 
22d, 1856. 59 

II. SECRETARY OF WAR. 


From Governor Stevens to the Secretary of War, making requisition for arms 

and ammunition, Aug. 15,1854. GO 

Answer of the Secretary of War, declining to comply with requisition, August 18, 

1854. 61 

Extracts of letter from Gov. Stevens to the Secretary of War, setting forth the im¬ 
portance of a military post at the Walla Walla, Dec. 21, 1854. 61 

From Gov. Stevens to the Secretary of War, giving a detailed account of the re¬ 
turn of Gov. Stevens and party from the Biackfoot council; the course pur¬ 
sued by Gen. Wool; the state of the Indian war, and condition of the country, 

Feb. 10,1856. 62 

From Gov. Stevens to the Secretary of War, in reference to the present condition 

of the volunteer service of Washington Territory, March 9,1853. C3 

From Gov. Stevens to the Secretary of War, giving an account of the military ope¬ 
rations in the Territory and his views as to the measures necessary to conquer 
a permanent peace, March 21,1856. 70 

From Gov. Stevens to the Secretary of War, developing the probable character of 

the Indian difficulty, and the measures of precaution to meet it, May 23d, 1856. 77 

From Gov. Stevens to the Secretary of War; transmitting estimates of the proba¬ 
ble cost of the war, May 23d, 1S56. 81 

From Gov. Stevens to the Secretary of War, in reference to the proposed expedi¬ 
tion tg the interior, and referring to the delays of Col. Wright in the Yakima, 

June 8 1856. 82 

From Gov. Stevens to the Secretary of War, announces the movement of the two 
columns from the Sound and from the Dalles, as also the movements of the 
hostile Indians, July 7,1856, 83 

From Gov. Stevens to the Secretary of War; announces the disbandment of the 

volunteers on the Sound, July 24, 1856. 84 



IT 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 


ley. had sent “ John Hancock ” to reservation, and taken two Indian prisoners; 
sends them to Olympia, April 20th. 18oG. 

Gov. Stevens to Capt. Swartwout; thanks for prompt action in case of Indians, 
April 26, 1856. 

Governor Stevens to Captain Swartwout; thanks for promptitude in despatching 
Hancock to Holme’s Ilarhor, and for information of murders committed on 
White Giver, June 2d, 1856. 

Governor Stevens to Captain Swartwout, regarding Walla Walla Council; thanks 
for active co-operation of naval forces, August 31st, 1850. 

Captain Swartwout to Governor Stevens ; reply to above ; has recommended to 
Secretary of War to keep one vessel on this station, September 17th, 1S5G: 

Captain Swartwout to Cov. S ; report of battle with the Northern Indians at 
Port Gamble, November 23d, 1856. 


120 

121 

121 

122 

123 

124 


VT. GEN. WOOL, COMMANDING DEPARTMENT OF THE 

PACIFIC. 


General Wool to Governor of Washington Territory ; will establish a post at Bel¬ 
lingham Bay as soon as practicable, Sept. 18th, 1 55. 130 

Governor Mason to General Wool; asking for ammunition, and that more troops 

be sent to the Sound, October 20th, 1S55. 130 

Governor Stevens to General Wool, urging him to establish a military post at the 

Walla Walla, May 22d, 1855. 131 

Governor Stevens to General Wool, giving a memoir of proposed military opera¬ 
tions in the interior, setting forth the condition of the Territory, and announc¬ 
ing his determination to submit to the Department of war the facts connected 
with the disbandment by Gen. Wool of the troops raised for his relief, Decem¬ 


ber 23d, 1855, and January 23th, 1856. 133 

General Wool to Governor Stevens ; reply to above, Feb. 12tli, 1S5G. 139 

Governor Stevens to General Wool ; has just heard of his arrival in Washington 
Territory ; Sends General Tilton, Adjutant General volunteers, to confer with 
him at Stcilacoom, March 15th, 1856. 143 

Governor Stevens to General Wool; rejoinder to letter of February 12th, 1856, 

March 20th, 1856. 143 

Governor Stevens to Gen. Wool; roticing that the above letter had been returned ; 

remarks thereupon, May 12th, 1856. 150 

VII. ORDNANCE OFFICERS AT BENICIA. 

Governor Mason to Ordnance officer, or Quartermaster, San Francisco, California; 
learns from C.npt. Keyes that Territorial arms were all left at Vancouver ; 


acts that the government steamer be ordered to stop there, and bring a por¬ 
tion to Olympia or Stcilacoom, November 26th, 1855. 151 

Governor Mason to Col. J. W. Ripley, U. S. A.; states that Captain Eckerson, mil* 
itary storekeeper, had issued arms on liis requisition; that it was disapproved; 
requests that the Territorial arms be sent as soon as possible, so as to replace 
the above arms; also, that Mr. jO . be permitted to issue 800 muskets, to be re¬ 
placed by Territorial arms when they arrive, December 12th, 1855. 152 

Col. Ripley to Gov. Mason ; receipts to be given to Lieutenant Stone and Mr. Eck- 


CONTENTS. y 

PAGE. 

erson, to b© deducted out of Territorial quota; further issue of arms deemed 
unnecessary, in view of the arrival of the 9th Infantry, Feb. 2d, 1856. 153 

Governor Stevens to Col. Ripley, U. S. A.; requests that 2,000 lbs of rifle powder 

be furnished for the volunteers, May 4th, 1856, 154 

Col. Ripley to Governor Stevens ; not authorized to comply with above requisition, 

May 2'Jth, 1S56. 155 

Col. T. Morris to Governor Stevens ; requisition received ; impossible to comply, 

in consequence of orders issued by General Wool, May 19th, 1856. 155 

VIII. OFFICERS OF THE ARMY OX THE COLUMBIA 
RIVER AND THE WALLA WALLA. 

Gov. Mason to Maj. Rains, giving notice of murders having been committed by 

the Indians on miners going to Colville, Sept. 22d, 1855. 155 

Gov. Mason to Maj. Rains ; additional information relative to murders ; Lieut. 

Slaughter with forty men has gone across the mountains, Sept. 26th, 1855, 157 

Maj. Rains to Gov. Mason ; has ordered Lieut. Day to enquire into the above sub¬ 
ject, Sept. 26th, 1855, 158 

Maj. Rains to Gov. Mason ; has ordered S4 men into the field. Sept. 29th, 1855, 159 

Maj. Rains to Gov. Mason ; Maj. Haller surrounded ; calls for two companies of vol¬ 
unteers, Oct. 9th, 1855, 160 

Gov. Mason to Maj. Rains; has complied with requisition, Oct. 14th, 1855, 160 

Gov. Mason to Maj. Rains; Sends Mr. Walker to know what arms and ammunition 

can be furnished volunteers, Oct. 14th, 1855, 161 

Lieut. Withers to Gov. Mason; volunteers will receive arms, &c., Oct. 17th, 1855, 162 

Gov. Mason to Lieut. Withers; has ordered Col. Shaw to raise a company for relief 

of Gov. Stevens, Nov. 3d, 1855, 162 

Maj. Rains to Gov. Mason; account of battle of the “Two Buttes," Nov. 12th, 1855, 163 

Gov. Stevens to Col. Wright; is raising volunteers ; proposes joint operations be¬ 
tween regulars and volunteers, April 2d, 1856, 164 

Col. Wright to Gov. Stevens; is taking measures to protect the country; Cascades 

retaken, April 10th, 1856, 165 

Gov. Stevens to Col. Wright; asks whether he intends to occupy the Walla Walla, 

April 24th, 1856, 166 

Col. Wright to Gov. Stevens ; not part of his plan to occupy the Walla Walla at 

present, April 27th, 1856, 167 

Gov. Stevens to Col. Wright; informs him that the Indians are determined to pros¬ 
ecute the war ; information received from Mr. McDonald, May 8th, 1856. 167 

Gov. Stevens to Col. Wright; informs him of Col. Shaw’s march across the moun¬ 
tains; his plans; is ready, as Superintendent of Indians, to take charge of any 
Indians; terms to be offered, June 18th, 1856, 168 

Gov. Stevens to Col Wright; informs him of the battle of Grand Ronde; will go to 

Walla Walla in person, August 3d, 1856, 160 

Col. Wright to Gov. Stevens ; has received requisition for Leschi, Nelson, Kitsap, 

&c.; suggests that their seizure be suspended at present, Oct. 4th, 1856, 170 

Gov. Stevens to Col. Wright ; reiterates requisition for the Sound murderers, Oct. 

4th, 1856, 171 


PAGE. 


Till 


CONTENTS. 


Governor Stevena to Lt. Col. Casey, proposing to turn over certain of the volunteer 
posts, and expresses the opinion that no portion of the line should be disgarn- 
ished at present, June 2d, 1856. 

Lt. Col. Casey to Governor Stevens ; in regard to practicability of wagon road 
over the Snoqualmie pass, May 28,1556. 

Lt. J. Nugen to Lt. Col. Shaw ; Lt. Col. Casey willing to occupy certain block 
houses wifh his troops, June 1,1456. 

Governor Stevens to Lt. Col. Casey, communicating the arrangements made to turn 
over the volunteer posts, June 3d, 1856. 

Lt. Col. Casey to Governor Stevens; wishes to be relieved from the charge of the 
Indians recently came in from the Yakima, Oct. 20. 1856. 

Governor Stevens to Lieut. Col. Casey, declines to receive the Indians until the 
murderers are apprehended. 

Lieut. Col. Casey to Governor Stevens, declines to comply with the requisition of 
Gov. S. for murderers, October 21,1856. 

Governor Stevens to Lt. Col. Casey; renews his requisition upon Lieut. C. for the 
murderers, Oct. 27,1856. 

Lt. Col. Casey to Gov. Stevens; again declines to comply with Governor S.’s requi¬ 
sition; will forward communication to General Wool, Oct. 20, 1856. 

Governor Stevens to Lt. Col. Casey; encloses Col. Wright’s instructions to Major 
Garnett, and 3d requisition for murderers, Oct. 31, 1856. 

Lieut. Col. Casey to Governor Stevens; will comply with requisition from civil au 
thorities,Nov. 2, 1S56. 

Lieut. Casey to Governor Stevens; in relation to Lieut. McKibben’s interference 
with friendly Indians; Indian officers should have an eye single to their duties; 
a spirit of justice should be exercised. 

Governor Stevens to Lieut. Col. Casey; replies to the foregoing, and still refuses 
to receive the Indians until the murderers are apprehended; Col. Simmons 
gave you such notice; your observations about Indian officers, &c., offensive, 
November 8,1856. 

Lieut. Col. Casey to Gov. Stevens; answer, Nov. 12, 1856. 


207 

208 

209 

209 

210 

211 

213 

214 

216 

216 

217 

213 

219 

220 


X. QUARTERMASTER AND COMMISSARY GENERAL. 

From Gov. Stevens to Gen. Miller, directing him to issue certificates for purchases 

made by him, February 2d, 1856, 221 

From Gov. Stevens to Gen. Miller, directing him to move with all his wagons, quar- 
master's men and supplies to Montgomery’s, preparatory to moving on the 
Puyallup, February 18,1856, 222 

From Gen. Miller to Gov. Stevens, stating his compliance with orders of 18th, and 
the arrngements he has made for additional supplies and transportation, Yelm. 
February 18th, 1856, 222 

From Gov. Stevens to Gen. Miller ; has ordered the formation of a company from 
teamsters and quartermasters’ men ; the Major elected ordered to push forward 
into the enemy’s country and establish certain block-houses and ferries, Febru¬ 
ary 20,1858, 

I*rom Gen. Miller to Gov. Stevens, reporting Ins success in procuring supplies and 


223 


CONTENTS. 


IX 


PAGE. 


transportation, &c.; the train will be ready to move at the time appointed, 

&c., February 20,1856, 224 

Gen. Miller to Gov. Stevens, reporting his train in readiness to move, with rations 

for 150 men, 100 days, &c., February 22,1856, 225 

Gov. Stevens to Gen. Miller, directing him to accompany the expedition into the 
Indian country, and instructions as to supplies, forage, transportation, Ac., 
Montgomery’s, February 28,1856, 226 

Geu. Miller to Gov. Stevens, reporting his arrival at Lemon’s prairie and readiness 

of train to move on next day, February 28, 1856, 227 

Gen. Miller to Gov. Stevens, reporting his arrival at Connell’s prairie ; the good or¬ 
der of the train and entire harmony among employees, and will be able to fully 
carry out his instructions, March 2,1856, 228 

From Governor Stevens to Gen. Miller; relative to supplies; the selection of site 
for main depot; quartermaster’s men being raised as guard for train; compa¬ 
nies ordered from the Columbia, May 1st, 1856. 229 

From Governor Stevens to Gen. Miller; relative to the appointment of an assist¬ 
ant quartermaster general; the district to which he will be assigned, and the 
instructions to bo given him May 1,1856. 230 

From Gov. Stevens to Gen. Miller; relative to the appointment of Col. Hurd assist¬ 
ant quartermaster, general, and instructions to be given him. May 1, ’56. 231 

From Governor Stevens to General Miller;- orders to build a block house at Ten- 

alquot, and open certain wagon roads, May 5th, ’56. 231 

From Gov. Stevens to Gen. Miller; relative to Wagon train to go by Snoqualmie 
pass, and form a supply depot on the Yakima, also pack train, Ac. May 28, 

1856. 232 

From Governor Stevens to Gen. Miller; Fort Hicks will be turned over to Lt. Col. 

Casey; supplies there &c.; reduce expenses in quartermaster’s department; 
muster out guard at Nesqually ferry, July 17,1856. 233 

Adjutant General Tilton to Gen. Miller; orders to enlist 200 volunteers to strength¬ 
en Right wing, 2d regiment, August 2d, 1856. 233 

Governor Stevens to Gen. Miller; directing him to dispense with quartermaster’s 

and commissary’s agents, Ac., who are not required, Aug. 8, 1856. 234 


XI. Expedition to Walla Walla—Raising of Southern Battalion 
—Movement to ti-ie Sound—Joint Operations of Southern and 
Central Battalion, s 

From Governor Stevens'to Col. B. F. Shaw; movement of Southern battalion to 

East of Cascades, Feb. 18,1S56. 234 

From Gov. Stevens to Assistant Adjutant General Shaw; boats for transportation; 

pack train besides boats; posts in the interior, Feb. 20, 1856. 235 

From Assistant Adjutant General Shaw to Gov. Stevens; has received his com¬ 
mission and letter of instructions, Vancouver, Feb. 21,1856. 236 

From Col. Shaw to Adjutant General Tilton; progress in raising Southern battal¬ 
ion, Salem, Feb. 29, 1856. 

From Governor Stevens to Col. Shaw: ordering Maxon’s company to the Sound, 

March 2d, 1856. 

2 


238 


X 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

From Adj. Gen. Tilton to Lt. Col. Crosbie; orders to proceed to the Columbia riv¬ 
er, March 2d, 1856. 238 

From Col. Shaw to Gov. Stevens; movement of Southern battalion to the interior, 

Vancouver, March 9, 1856. 239 

From Gov. Stevens to Col. Shaw; ordering the Southern battalion to the Sound, 

March 12, 1856. 240 

From Governor Stevens to Col. Shaw: instructions in reference to operations at 

the head of the Sound, April 16,1856. 241 

From Gov. Stevens to Col. Shaw; transmitting additional instructions, April, 1856. 242 

Gov. Stevens to Capt. Goff; giving information and orders for his movement to the 

Walla Walla, May 11,1856. 243 

From Col. Shaw to Gov. Stevens; suggestions for a movement across the Cascades, 

May 16,1856. . 244 

From Gov. Stevens to Col. Shaw; have your train ready to cross the mountains. 244 

Col. Shaw to Gov. Stevens; opinion of council of officers as to crossing Cascades, 

May 21,1856. 245 

Gov. Stevens to Col. Shaw; referring to opinions of the Council of officers, May 

21, 1856. ’ 246 

Extract—Gov. Stevens to Col. Shaw; send an express over Nachess pass to Col. 

Wright, May 20th, 1856. 246 

Extract—Gov. Stevens to Col. Shaw; get an express over the mountains if possi¬ 
ble, May 21,1856. 247 

Col. Shaw to Gov. Stevens; the express is sent, May 22d, 1856. 247 

Gov. Stevens to Capt. Goff; is authorised to increase his force, but must not wait 

to do so, June 1,1856. 247 

Capt. W. W. DeLacy to Adjutant Gen. Tilton; report upon wagon route by the 

Snoqualmie pass, June 5th, 1856. 248 

Gov. Stevens to Col. Shaw; adopting his views of moving over Nachess pass, June 

5,1856. 249 

Col. Shaw to Adjutant Gen. Tilton; movement across the mountains, June 5,1856. 250 
Gov. Stevens to Col. Shaw; turn over certain posts to Lt. Col. Casey, June 5,1856. 251 

Gov. Stevens to Col. Shaw; instructions as to operations in the interior, Dalles, 

June 18, 1856. 252 

Gov. Stevens to Capt. Goff; instructions for his march to the Walla Walla, &c., 

Olympia, June 3d, 1856. 252 

Gov. Stevens to Capt. Golf; additional instructions, Dalles, June 24,1856. 254 

Gov. Stevens to Lt. Craig, sub-agent; Goffs and Shaw’s movements; Indian sup¬ 
plies for interior, Dalles, June 24,1856. 254 

Gov. Stevens to Col. Shaw; instructions, Dalles. June 30, 1856. 255 

Lieut. Col. Shaw to Adjutant General Tilton; march of the battalion from Camp 

Montgomery, Camp on Wenass, June 22d, 1856. * 257 

Col. Shaw to Adjutant Cen. liltou; march from camp on Wenass to the Columbia, 

Camp opposite Fort Walla Walla, July 1,1856. ’ 258 

Go\. Stevens to Col. Shaw, the movements made, and those proposed, are appro¬ 
ved, July 21,1856. 200 

Col. Shaw to Gov. Stevens; reports his arrival in the Walla Walla; disposition of 

Nez Perccs, July 26,1856, ori 


CONTENTS. 


XI 


PAGE. 


Captain Goff to Col. Shaw; report of the battle of Burnt river, Camp Mill Creek, 

July 26,1856. 263 

Governor Stevens to Col. Shaw; 200 volunteers to re-inforce him; council at Walla 

Walla, August 2, 1856. 265 

Col. Shaw to Col. Craig ; battle of Grand Rondo; statement of facts; council with 

the hostiles; sends express, Head Quarters, Mill Creek, Aug. 1,1856. 266 

Col. Shaw to Lawyer, or head chief of the Nez Perce nation, Head Quarters, Mill 

Creek, Aug. 1, 1856. * 268 

Col. Shaw to Gov. Stevens; the Walla Walla Council; arrangements will be made 

for it, Fort Mason, Aug. 11, 1856. 268 

Col. Shaw to Col. Craig; the Governor has fixed the 25th August, for opening the 
Council at Walla Walla; sends runners to the several tribes, Fort Mason Aug. 

14, 1856. 269 

Col. Shaw to the chiefs and head men of the Nez Perces, Spokanes and other 
friendly tribes; by direction of the Governor they are invited to the council, 

Ac., Fort Mason, Aug. 14,1856. 270 

Gov. Stevens to Col. Craig, Indian agent; the Walla Walla council; terms with 
the hostiles, Ac., Hd, Qrs., W. T. V., Fort Mason. Walla Walla, August 23d, 

1856. 271 

Col. Shaw to Col. Craig; the Council; division among the hostiles on that subject, 

Fort Mason, Aug. 23d, 1856. 272 


XII. Operations at the Head op the Sound—Three Months’ or¬ 
ganization—Central and Southern Battalions. 


Governor Mason to Captain Eaton; authorized to raise a company, and instruc¬ 
tions, Olympia, October 19,1855. 273 

Gov. Mason to Capt. G. Hays ; ordered to report to the commanding officer at Fort 

Steilacoom, Olympia, Oct. 20, 1855. 274 

Gov. Mason to Capt. Eaton; instructions as to scouts, Otympia, Oct. 23,1855. 274 

Captain Wallace to Adjutant Gen. Tilton; reports his company for service, Steila¬ 
coom, Oct. 30,1855. 276 

Captain Hays to Gov. Mason; report of the battle of White river, Connell’s Prairie, 

Nov, 3d, 1855. 276 

Gov. Mason to Captain Hays; acknowledgment of services, Olympia, November 

9,1855. 277 

Adjt. Gen. Tilton to Capt. Eaton; ordered to report to Captain Malony, Olympia, 

Nov. 9, 1855. 277 

Adjutant General Tilton to Captain Wallace; ordered to report to Capt. Maloney, 

Olympia, Nov. 9,1855. 278 

Capt. Hays to Gov. Mason; skirmish on Green river, Camp Montgomery, Nov. 11, 

1855. 278 

Lieut. Moore to Adjt. Gen. Tilton; not heard from Lieut. Slaughter, Camp Morri¬ 
son, Dec. 10,1855. 279 

Gov. Stevens to Capt. Swindal; Skookum Bay company accepted, Olympia, Feb. 

2d, 1856. 280 

Governor Stevens to Capt. Henness; instructions as to scouts, Olympia. Feb. 2d, 

1856. 


280 


XII 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Adjt. General Tilton to Captain G. Hays; block house on Yelm Prairie, Olympia, 

Feb. 11,1856. 281 

Captain Swindal to Governor Stevens; block house at Skookum Bay, Fort Skoo- 

kum, Feb. 14.1856. 28 ^ 

Captain Swindal to Governor Stevens; has joined Major Hay’s command, Maj. 

Camp, Feb. 24th, 1856. 282 

Governor Stevens to Captain Riley; fort at Lone Tree Point, Olympia, Feb. 18. 

1856. 282 

Governor Stevens to Captain J. White; block houses, Olympia, Feb. 18,1856. 283 

Captain Riley to Governor Stevens; post at Lone Tree Point, Stcilacoom, Feb. 11), 

1856. 283 

Governor Stevens to Major Hays; movement on the Puyallup, Olympia, Feb. 20, 

1856. • 284 

Governor Steven to Major Hays; general instructions, Camp Montgomery, Feb. 27, 

1856. 285 

Major Hays to Governor Stevens; recommends Connell's Prairie for main depot, 

Camp Connell, March 2,1856. 287 

Adjutant Gen. Tilton to Major Hays; recommendation approved, Olympia, March 

3, 1856. • 2S8 

Major Hays to Adj. General Tilton; block house on Connell’s prairie, Camp Con¬ 
nell March 6,1856. 289 

Major Hays to Governor Stevens: battle of Connell’s prairie, Camp Connell, March 

10.1856. 290 

Adj. General Tilton to Captain Mason; scouts, Olympia, March 12, 1856. 292 

Adjutant General Tilton to Major Hays; thanks for battle of Connell's prairie, 

Olympia, March 13,1856. 294 

Major Ha} r s to Governor Stevens; scouts of the Central battalion. Fort Hays, Con¬ 
nell’s prairie, March 15, 1856. 295 

Governor Stevens to Major Hays; Nachess pass, Olympia, March 17,1856. 297 

Governor Stevens to Captain Maxon; scout in the Nesqually bottom, Olympia, 

March 18,1856. 297 

Maj. Hays to Gov. Stevens; Scouts, Fort Hays, March 24,1856. 298 

Captain Maxon to Adjutant Gen. Tilton; his scout in the Nesqually bottom, Tcnal- 

quot prairie, March 24,1856. 299 

Adjt. General Tilton to Capotin Maxon; scouts up the Nesqually, Olympia, March 

26.1856. 300 

Captain Maxon to Adjutant General Tilton; sends in five of the suspected persons, 

Camp McLeod, March 30,1856, 301 

Adjutant General to Major Hays; road from Fort Hays to South prairie, Olj’mpia, 

April 4, 1856. " 302 

Adjutant General Tilton to Major Hays; occupation of South prairie, Olympia, 

April 6, 1856. 302 

Captain Miller to Governor Stevens; scout up the Nesqually, Fort Stevens, Yelm 

Prairie, April 6, 1856. 303 

Gov. Stevens to Major Hays; resignation accepted, Olympia, April 10,1856. 304 

Adj. General 1 ilton to Captain Swindal; occupation of South Prairie, Olympia, 

April 12, 1856. 305 


CONTENTS. 


XHI 


PAGE. 

Gov. Stevens to Capt* Swindal; connection with the line of the Nesqually, Olym¬ 
pia, April 15, 1856, 305 

Captain Swindal to Governor Stevens; block house built on South Prairie, Camp 

Montgomery, April 20, 1856. 30 6 

Captain Mason to Adjutant General Tilton; scouts to Michell prairie and lake Ow- 

liap, Camp Wren, April 23,1856. 30G 

Captain Eabbeson to Gov. Stevens; Indian encampment, Fort McAlister, South 

Prairie, April 29,1856. - 308 

Captain Swindal to Adjutant General Tilton; report of scout, Fort McAlister, May 

2d,1356. 309 

Adj. General Tilton to Captain DeLacy; examination of route to the Snoqualmie 

Pass, Olympia, May 27,1856. 309 

Governor Stevens to Captain Swindal; posts to be turned over to Lieut. Col. Casey, 

Olympia, July 17, 1856. 310 


XIII. NORTHERN BATTALION AND DOWN THE SOUND. 


Captain 1. N. Ebey to Adjutant General Tilton; report of operations, November 
5, 1855. 

do do do do do do Nov. 9,1855. 

Adjutant General Tilton to Capt. I. N. Ebey; instructions, Nov. 10,1855. 

Captain I. N. Ebey to Adj. Gen. Tilton; condition of affairs, Nov. 12, 1855. 

do do do Nov. 28, 1855. 

Adj. Gen. Tilton to Capt. I. N. Ebey; instructions, Dec. 4,1855. 

do do Occupation of Crescent Harbor, Dec. 5,1855. 

Adjutant General Tilton to Captain A. A. Plummer; instructions, Dec. 11,1855. 
Gov. Stevens to Capt. I. N. Ebey; relative to volunteers for six months and gen¬ 
eral defence, Feb. 1, 1856. 

do do do raising volunteers, Feb. 2,1856. 

Gov. Stevens to Major commanding Northern battalion; general instructions, Feb. 
2, 1856. 

Plan of defence of the lower part of the Sound. 

Defence of Bellingham Bay. 

Gov. Stevens to Captain I. N. Ebey; establishment of posts above the falls of the 
Snoqualmie, Feb. 14, 1856. 

Major Van Bokkelen to Adjutant General Tilton; movements of Northern battal¬ 
ion and Indian auxiliaries, Fort Tilton, March 10,1856. 

Captain S. D. Ilowe to Adjutant General Tilton; movements of his company, Fort 
Ebey, March 10,1856. 

Major Van Bokkelin to Gov. Stevens; future movements of northern battalion, 
Fort Hays, April 2,1856. 

Description of route taken by the Northern battalion from Fort Tilton to Fort 
Hays. 

Gov. Stevens to Major Van Bokkelin; reply to the Major's letter announcing his ar¬ 
rival at Fort Hays, Olympia March 26, 1856, 

Maj. Van Bokkelin to Gov. Stevens; scout by .the northern and central battalions, 
FortHays, April 1,1856, 


311 

312 

314 

315 
315 
317 

317 

318 

319 

319 

320 

320 

321 

322 
322 
324 

326 

327 

328 

329 


XVI 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Capt. E. D. Warbass to Governor Stevens; scouting party to Klickatat prairie, and 

road from Pain Court; June 2, 1856. 376 

Governor Stevens to Lieutenant S. S. Ford, Sr.; orders to divide Captain Warbass’ 
company into active and reserved list; start Pierre Charles on a scout; return 
guns to Plomondeau; defences at Jacksons, May 21,1856. 377 

Lieut. Col. S. S. Ford, sr.,to Gov. Stevens; executed orders of May 21,1856, May 

26, 1856. 378 

Capt. E. D. Warbass to Adj. Gen. Tilton; block house on Klickatat prairie; ready 

for any emergency, June 30,1856. 379 

Pierchal to Gov. Stevens; report of scout up the Cowlitz with friendly Indians, 

July 11, 1856. 380 

XVI. OPERATIONS ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER, AND 
DEFENCES IN CLARKE COUNTY. 

Acting-Governor Mason to commanding officer Clarke county volunteers; you will 

report to the commanding officer at Fort Vancouver, Oct. 14,1855. 380 

Capt. Wm. Kelly to Acting-Governor Mason; company organized for home protec¬ 
tion; armed and equipped from Military store, &c., Oct. 15, 1855. 381 

Acting-Governor Mason to Capt, Wm. Kelly; accept your company, to be called 

out in case of emergency, &c., Oct. 20,1856. 381 

Adj. Gen. Tilton to Capt. McCorklc, Co. G; send commissions, instructions, &c., 

Nov. 10,1856. 382 

Capt. McCorkle to Acting-Governor Mason; report of Scouts, Nov. 19,1856. 383 

Adj. Tilton to Captain McCorkle; must obtain arms of Gen. Gibbs, and provisions 

where you can obtain credit on gov’t, &c., Nov. 26,1855. 384 

t 

Adj. Gen. Tilton to Capt. William Bratton: send your commission; relative to duties 

of company, &c., Dec. 1,1855. 385 

Captain Strong to Major Rains; object to my company being mustered out before 

expiration of three months, Nov. 10,1855. 385 

Major Rains to Capt. Strong; directed to muster your company out of service with¬ 
out any qualification, Dec. 12,1856. 386 

Captain Strong to Acting-Governor Mason; my company to be mustered out of 

U. S. service, probably; await your orders, Dec. 14,1855. 387 

Capt, Strong to Acting Gov. Mason ; orders to muster my company out of service 

of the United States countermanded, Dec. 16,1856, 387 

Adjutant General Tilton to Capt. Strong ; retain your organization until 27th ; 

grant furloughs to men, &c., Jan. 4, 1856, 388 

Gov. Stevens to Lt. Huger ; citizens of Clarke county should adopt building block¬ 
houses, March 30, 1856, ggy 

]J. Col. Crosbie to Capt. M. R. Hathaway, in regard to mustering Clarke county 

company into service, April 2,1856, * 3 ^ 

Lieut. Huger to Gov. Stevens; recommends that Capt. Kelly’s company should not 

be mustered into service for home protection, April 3,1856, 390 

Lieut. Huger to A 
April 3,1856, 


391 





CONTENTS. 


XVII 


PAGE. 

Adjutant General Tilton to Lieut. Huger ; Capt. Kelly’s company will be accepted 

on certain conditions, &c., April 5,1856, * 3yl 

Gov. Stevens to Capt. M. It. Hathaway ; Capt. Kelly ’3 company to be subject to 

the orders of the Executive, &c., A pril 6,1856. 392 

Lieut. Huger to Capt. William Kelly ; accept your company, &c., April 6 th, 

1856, - , 393 

Lieut. Huger to Adjutant General Tilton ; block-houses on Washoogal and Lewis 

rivers; proffered to co-operate with regulars, &c., April 14,1856, 394 

Gov. Stevens Lieut. Huger, (duplicate of letter No. 328,) 394 . 

Lieut. Huger to Adjutant General Tilton, (duplicate of letter No. 235,) 394 

Lieut. J. D. Biles to Capt. Kelly, in relation to Fort Biggs, April 10,1856, 396 

CapfcrfWm. Kelly to Sergeant Richard Covington ; orders No. 5; erection of block¬ 
house; scouts, &c., April 10, 1856, 397 

Capt. Wm. Kelly to Lieut. J. D. Biles, in regard to building block-house on Lewis 

river, April 14, 1856, 398 

Capt. Kelly to Lieut. Huger ; report oL condition of company ; operations, &c., 

April 14, 1856, 398 

Lieut. J. D. Biles to Capt. Kelly ; Lewis river ; have selected spot for block-house, 

April, 1856, 399 

Orders No. 6 ; Capt. Kelly, Clarke county rangers, 400 

Capt. Kelly to Adjutant General Tilton ; report of operations, April 30, 1856, 400 

Adjutant General Tilton to Capt. Kelly; a requisition has been made for Howitz¬ 
ers, guns, &c., for your forts, &c.; raise your command to 80, men ; confer 
with Col. Hurd relative to supplies, &c., May 17,1856, 402 

Lieut. J. D. Biles to Adjutant General Tilton ; Capt. Kelly on a scout; unable to 
increase company to 80 men, but three or four willing to march put of Clarke 
"county, May 19, 1856, 402 

Gov. Stevens to Capt. Kelly ; keep record of men on duty and those not on duty, 

&c., May 22, 1856, 403 

Gov. Stevens to Capt. Kelly, in relation to the record of men on duty and those not 

on duty, &c., May 29,1856, 403 

Gov. Stevens to Capt. Wm. Kelly, in regard to twenty men for duty, &c., July 7th, 

1856, 404 

Capt. Wm. Kelly to Gov. Stevens ; reeommeud company be disbanded, and that 
myself and a non-commissioned officer be retained to collect property, &c., Ju¬ 
ly 9,1856, 405 

Gov. Stevens to Capt. Kelly ; your recommendations approved, July 14,1856, 405 


3 


































































































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ADJUTANT GENERAL’S REPORT. 


Office of the Adjutant General, W. T. Yol’s, ) 
Olympia, W. T., December 1st, 1856. ) 

Sir :—Herewith I have the honor to submit papers marked A B and 
C, exhibiting the strength and duration of the volunteer service of the 1st 
Regiment of three month’s men called out by proclamation of acting Gov¬ 
ernor Mason, dated 14th October, 1855 ; and also the 2nd Regiment of 
six month’s men called out by your proclamation of January 23d, 1856. 

The “remarks,” in the tables, will show in what manner the horses 
were furnished for the mounted men. 

General Orders No’s. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 1, issued from this office 
. during the late service of the volunteers of Washington Territory, are also 
submitted. 

Yery Respectfully, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adjutant General W. T. Y. forces. 

His Excellency, 

Isaac I. Stevens, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief W. T. Y. forces. 


4 



26 


A 

Estimate of the number of day 1 s service of the mounted men 
of the 1st 'Regiment of W. T. Volunteers. 



Commissioned Officers. 

Days service 

Non-com. 
officers. 
Days ser¬ 
vice. 

Privates. 

Companies. 

Captains 

commanding. 

s 

P 

a 

W 

GC 

5 

-4—' 

P- 
c z 

o 

W 

£ 

cZ 

-us r; 

rH *3 

5 

tc 

-t-= 

C 

r C g 
S3 £ 

£ 

3 

rh 

-4-3 

0 

<D 

bO 

fH 

o> 

CO 

cg 

pH 

o 

Ph 

o 

O 

£ 

<D 

c+-< 

O 

d 

& 

d 

o 

<D 

02 

m 

>> 

ci 

ft 

{30 

* o 
'ea 

fe {30 
g a, 

5b 

O 

Company *A, Capt. Strong,. 

61 

93 

93 

93 

372 

372 

50 

4650 

5673 

“ ' +£h Cant. G. Havs. 

91 

93 

93 

93 

372 

372 

79 

7121 

8144 

“ IF. Ca 

at. I. Havs. 

40 

92 

92 

92 

368 

368 

27 

2245 

3257 

“ §F. Capt. Hen ness,. 

63 

93 

93 

93 

372 

372 

52 

4755 

5778 

“ t;K, Capt. Jackson,. 

26 

93 

S3 

93 

186 


21 

1400 

1865 

HCowlitz Rangers. Capt. Peers. 

39 

81 

81 

81 

324 

324 

28 

2268 

3159 

♦♦Lewis River Rangers, Capt. Bratton,. 

44 

118 

110 

103 

425 

392 

31 

2149 

3297 

tfStevens Guards, Cant. Higgins,. 

25 

50 

50 

79 

171 

200 

13 

650 

1200 

^Spokane Invincibles, Capt. Yantis,. 

23 

50 

50 

100 

200 

200 

11 

550 

1150 

§§Puget Sound Rangers, Capt. Eaton,. 

36 

90 

10 

180 

246 

189 

24 

860 

1475 

IlIJNez Perce Volunteers, Chief Spotted Eagle 

70 

31 





69 

2139 

j 2170 



518 

884 

765 

1007 

3036 

2789 

405 

28787 

(37168 


REMARKS: 

♦Mustered into the regular service aDd furnished their own horses. 
fMustered into the regular service and furnished their own horses. 
^Furnished their own horses. 

§Furnished “ “ “ 

||Furnished “ “ “ 

ITFurnished “ “ “ 

♦♦Furnished u “ “ 

tfHorses furnished by Government. 

^Horses partly furnished by Government and partly by volunteer* 
§§Furnished their own horses. 

HUFurnished their own horses and equipments. 




















































A— 'Continued. 


Estimate of the number of days service of the Infantry 
force of the 1st Regiment W. T. Volunteers. 


Commissioned 

officers. 

Days service. 

Non-com’d 

officers. 
Days Ser¬ 
vice. 

Privates. 


Companies. 

Captains 

commanding. 

£ 

& 

rt 

c3 

Ph 

CC 

.£ 

3 

•4-J 

Ps 

ce 

O 

r~* 

•r-« 

J 

■4-3 
02 
r—i 

d 

CQ 

d 

d 

o> 

b{j 

t-4 

<v 

TS1 

xn 

7a 

f-i 

o 

o 

O 

« 

<V 

O 

c 

Jz; 

<> # 

m 

c3 

fi 

o 

6 

£ 

<=0 

<i • 
^ o 

g bfl 

S3 E 

C5 

Company C, Capt. Goudy. 

“ *D, Capt. Wallace_ 

“ G, Capt.McCorkle... 

“ M, Capt. Hewitt. 

“ I, Capt. Ebey. 

“ J, Capt. Plummer... 

Nisqually Ferry Guards, Serg’t Packwood,. 

70 

55 

22 

75 

84 

29 

10 

345 

94 

94 

92 

93 
101 

80 

94 

94 

92 

93 
101 

86 

94 

94 

92 

93 
101 

86 

305 

362 

341 

465 

404 

258 

75 

376 

376 

184 

360 

401 

172 

59 

44 

13 

63 

73 

21 

10 

4627 

3633 

920 

4867 

6909 

1236 

675 

5590 

4653 

1721 

5971 

8017 

1924 

750 

560 

560 

560 

2210 

1869 

283 

22867 

28626 


Note.— Owing to several of the officers of the 1st Regiment continuing in service in 
the 2nd, some of the Muster rolls have not yet been fully perfected. The present estimate 
will vary but little from the final rolls of the Regiment. 

*A portion of company D did duty as mounted men and furnished their own horses. 

Very Respectfully, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Ad ft Gen’l W. T. Volunteer forces. 

Adjutant General’s Office, \ 

Olympia, Dec. 1, 1856, j 





































28 


B 

Estimate of the number of days service of the mounted men 
of the 2 d Regiment of W. T. Volunteers. 



Commissioned 

officers. 

Days service. 

Non-Com’d 
officers. 
Days Ser¬ 
vice. 

Privates. 


Companies. 

Captains 

commanding. 

Rank & File. 

Captains. 

1 st 

Lieutenants. 

2 nd 

Lieutenants. 

Sergeants. 

Corporals. 

No. of Men. 

Days service. 

General 

Aggregate. 

Company C, Capt. Henness, 

67 

202 

202 

202 

808 

734 

54 

8,325 

10,473 

“ *D, Capt. Achilles, 

44 

84 

204 

61 

569 

590 

32 

4,100 

5,608 

“ J, 

Capt. Miller... 

40 

207 

207 

207 

828 

828 

26 

4,145 

6,422 

“ K 

, Capt. Goff- 

101 

217 

217 

217 

868 

868 

90 

10,372 

12,759 

“ fM, Capt. Chase,.. 

53 

143 

143 

143 

344 

48 

45 

6,160 

6,981 

“ IN, Capt. Richards 

74 

93 

93 

93 

372 

372 

68 

5,859 

6,882 

Wash. Mount’d Rifles, Capt. Maxon. 

95 

63 

214 

214 

806 

856 

68 

13,253 

15,406 

Clarke Co. Rangers, 

Capt. Kelley.. 

81 

122 

104 

122 

443 

220 

70 

5,542 

6,553 

§Pioneer Company, 

Capt. Hicks,... 


52 

31 

31 

64 

103 

14 

404 

685 

Walla Walla Company, Capt. Ford. 

29 

111 

86 

62 



25 

775 

1,034 



584 

1,294 

1,501 

1,352 

|5,102 

4,619 

487 

58,935 

72,803 


REMARKS: 


^Company D was first commanded by Capt. Achilles, and second by 1st Lieutenant 
Powell. The horses used for the mounted force were partly furnished by the Government 
and partly by the volunteers. 

•{-Company M was composed of 10 white men and 43 Nez Perce Indians, furnishing 
their own horses. 

^Company N was first commanded by Capt. Rickards, and second by Capt. Williams. 

§A portion of the Pioneer company after the march of Lieut. Col. Shaw’s command 
into the Walla Walla country, did duty as mounted men west of the Cascades. 






































29 

B— Continued. 


Estimate of the number of days service of the Infantry force of 2nd 

Regiment W. T. Volunteers. 



Commissioned 

officers. 

Days service. 

Non-Com’d 
officers. 
Days Ser¬ 
vice. 

Privates. 


Companies. 

Captains 

commanding. 

£ 

a 

« 

02 

a 

3 

<3 

O 

W 

-*■3 

G 

43 £ 

3 g 

P 

<D 

s 

TO 

-to 

G 

'g G 

G 0> 

CS 

r* 

<v 

3 

02 

G 

c3 

o 

bD 

to 

O 

02 

ro 

»—H 

c3 

to 

O 

Cu 

to 

O 

O 

G 

0) 

s 

O 

O 

fc 

<V 

O 

> 

to 

<D 

m 

02 

& 

p 

g'S 

5 ta 
a g 

« So 

O to 
< 

Company A, Capt. Lander. 

“ *B, Capt. Hays. 

44 |E, Capt. Riley,. 

44 F, Capt. Swindal_ 

44 JG, Capt. Van Bokelin, 

44 H, Capt. Peabody,... 

44 §1, Capt. Howe. 

44 L, Capt. War bass,... 

Train Guard, Capt. Shead,. 

Pioneer Company, Capt. White_ 

Nisqually Ferry Guards,. 

53 

52 

21 

40 

55 

42 

35 

91 

47 

40 

9 

84 

183 

95 

182 

188 

183 

183 

106 

147 

122 

130 

183 

159 

173 

188 

183 

183 

106 

147 

143 

183 

183 

182 

188 

183 

183 

106 

147 

127 

725 

907 

345 

752 

549 

732 

424 

214 

457 

147 

732 

732 

752 

183 

732 

424 

366 

418 

42 

41 

19 

35 
44 

31 
24 
76 

36 

32 
8 

6,765 

4,492 

1,769 

4,471 

6,853 

5,067 

4,279 

5,835 

3,371 

3,666 

747 

8,619 

6,680 

2,023 

4,353 

8,921 

6,348 

6,292 

7,001 

4,392 

4,933 

894 

485 

1,473 

1,595 

1,482 

5,252 

4,339 

388 

46,315 

60,456 


REMARKS: 

• 

Many of the officers commanding companies in the 2nd Regiment living at a great 
distance from the office df the Adjutant General, and the late period at which the service 
closed, has rendered it impossible to get in the final rolls. But the estimates having been 
made from the monthly rolls on file, will approximate very nearly to the general result. 

^Company B was commanded first by Capt. Hays, second by Capt. Rabbeson, and last 
by Capt. Burntrager. 

f Company E was first commanded by Capt. Riley and second by 1st Lieutenant Cole, 

^Company G was first commanded by Capt. Yan Bokkelin and second by Capt. Smalley. 

§Company I was first commanded by Capt. Howe and second by Capt. Beam. 












































B— Continued. 


Indian Auxiliaries. 



Commissioned 

Officers. 

Days service. 


Privates. 


Companies. 

Commanding 

Officers. 

Rank & File. 

Captains. 

1st 

Lieutenants. 



i No. of Men. | 

Days service. 

General 

Aggregate. 

Snohomish Chiefs, 

Squaxon, Lieut. Gosnell. 

Ckehalis, Capt. Ford,. 

Cowlitz, Pierre Charles,. 

82 

15 

17 

9 

116 

109 

28 



80 

14 

16 

8 

4,118 

230 

560 

96 

4,234 

258 

560 

205 


123 

223 

28 



118 

5,004 

6,257 


Very Respectfully, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Ad ft GenH W. T. Volunteers. 


Adjutant General’s Office, ) 
Olympia, Dec. 1, 1856. j 






































31 


C 


Officers, Rank, and Number 


of days Service. 


Adjutant General, [ 

No. of days service. 

Commissary. 

Days service. 

Lieutenant Colonels. 

Days service. 

Surgeons. 

No. of days service. 

No. of Commissioned 
officers of Co’s. 

No. of Non-com’d 

officers of Co’s. 

| 

No of. 
Companies. 

No. of 

1st Lieutenants. 

No. of 

2nd Lieutenants. 

No. of 

Sergeants. 

No. of 

Corporals. 

No. of 

Musicians. 

1 

112 

1 

79 

4 

322 

4 

327 

17 

18 

18 

62 

56 

7 


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49 


WAR NOTICE. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief, I hereby call 
upon the citizens of the counties of Lewis, Chehalis, Thurston, Pierce 
and Pacific, for reinforcements to support the gallant volunteer soldiery 
now in the enemy’s country north of the Puyallup. 

To insure success, it is deemed essential to strengthen the central 
battalion. 

By a vigorours effort now, there is a reasonable hope of annihilating 
the savages occupying the region west of the Cascades. For this pur¬ 
pose, an earnest appeal is made for a reinforcement of one hundred men, 
who will rendezvous at Olympia, for service under Major G. Hays, to 
strengthen the companies of Captains Henness, Rabbeson, White and 
Swindall. 

All detachments, upon arrival at Olympia, will be supplied with pro¬ 
visions, clothes, arms, transportation and escorts to the field. 

Ample supplies for the forces are now approaching the central posi¬ 
tion upon the Muckelshoot prairie. 

An intelligent and patriotic population will see the urgency of the 
case, and by bestowing their services for a short time, share in the achieve¬ 
ments of their friends now in the field, and materially aid in the speedy 
termination of the war. 

The following named gentlemen are requested to act as enrolling offi¬ 
cers : Capt. John R. Jackson, Highland, Lewis county; J.'S. M. Yan 
Cleave, Pacific county, Chenook Postoffice; Private Guest, Capt. Henness’ 
company, at camp Montgomery; Dr. J. R. Johnson, Chehalis, at Bruce- 
port; Henry Cock, Thurston, at Olympia. 

Enrolling officers will make requisition upon the Qr. Mr. and Com¬ 
missary at Olympia and Steilacoom for supplies and quarters, for recruits 
during concentration previous to marching. 

Enrolling officers will report at this office for marching orders. 
(Signed,) JAMES TILTON, 

Adjutant Gen. W. T. Volunteers. 

Head Quarters, Olympia W. T.) 

March 1st., 1856. ) 


7 


60 


QUARTERMASTER’S REPORT. 


Office Q. M. and Com. General, > 
November 29th, 1856. f 

Got. I. I. Stevens, 

Sir : In answer to your note of the 2 6th inst., I beg leave to sub¬ 
mit the following report of the operations of the Quartermaster and Com¬ 
missary Department, W. T. Y. As several of the Assistant Q. Masters 
and Commissaries have not yet had time to send in their accounts, I will 
not be able to give in a full and complete report until almost two months. 

Since the organization of the Q. Master and Commissary department 
on the 21st January of the current year, there has been issued $960,268,- 
82 worth of scrip to carry on its operations. Of this amount $122,112,- 
09 has been redeemed by sales of public property—leaving $821,541 32 
outstanding. 

I estimate that it will require at least $35,500 in addition, to pay 
unadjusted accounts against this department. 

In accordance with your order, the accounts of the 1st regiment, W. 
T. Y., called out by proclamation of Acting Gov. Mason, have been ex¬ 
amined, and scrip issued for the amount of indebtedness. This regiment 
was without Q. Masters or Commissaries. Each officer in command was 
empowered to procure whatever his men might need, and give receipts for 
the same, and it affords me pleasure to testify that this authority was 
never abused. 

The amount of debt thus created, as per receipts and other vouchers, 
is $58,821 92, for which scrip, approved by the Commander-in-Chief, has 
been issued, and I estimate that $5000 more of the scrip will be required 
to cover the total indebtedness ($62,821 92) of 1st. reg’t W. T. Y. under 
Acting Governor Mason. 

Recapitulation. 

Scrip issued on account of expenses 1st reg’t W. T. 

Y, under proclamation of Act. Gov. Mason, $58,821 92 
Scrip to be issued for outstanding accounts against 
said regiment, $5,000 00 

--$ 61,821 n 




51 


Bcrip issued on account of expenses of volunteer 
organization since 21st Jan. 1856, $960,268 22 

Scrip to be issued for outstanding acc’ts against 
said organization, 35,500 00 

-995,168 32 

$1,059,590 25 

Amount of Scrip cancelled by sales of public property, 132,121 09 
Total amount of indebtedness, $926,869 16 


The operations of the department under my charge have been carried 
on under very discouraging circumstances. There was no ready money 
with which to meet daily expenses. There were no large cities or wealthy 
communities where supplies could be purchased for the immediate need of 
the troops. Every thing had to be obtained if possible, for scrip, from 
either this or Oregon Territory, both sparsely populated, already impov¬ 
erished by Indian hostilities, and of which a large number of the inhabit¬ 
ants were in arms against the common enemy. In this Territory, espe¬ 
cially, many of the farmers had been driven from their claims—others, 
with every disposition to help the common cause, could not do so without 
depriving their families of bread. Notwithstanding this, the conduct of 
the citizens has been worthy of all praise. Without their zealous co-ope¬ 
ration, the volunteers would have starved. 

The officers of this department consisted of 1 Ass’t Q. Master and 
Commissary General, and 8 Ass’t Q. M’s and Commissaries stationed, as 
follows: 


Lieut. Col. Jas. K. Hurd, Ass’t Q. M. and Commissary General, su¬ 
perintendent of all business on the Columbia river. 

R. S. Robinson, Ass’t Q. M. and Commissary, Port Townsend, and 
to supply the northern battalion. 


at Seattle, 
at Steilacoom. 
at Olympia, 
at Lewis county, 
at Yancouver. 

at the Dalles, and field operations of south- 


E. Mathias, do 
Warren Gove, do 
Chas. E. Weed, do 
C. C. Pagett, do 
M. B. Millard, do 
A. H. Robie, do 
ern battalion. 

C. H. Armstrong, Regt’l Q. M. and Commissary in the field, with 
the right wing of the 2d regt. W. T. Y. 

These gentlemen were mostly unacquainted with the duties of the 
stations on first appointment, but their zeal and activity soon made amends 
for deficiencies, and I am under the highest obligations to them all for 





52 


their most active and efficient co-operation, and the admirable manner in 
which the accounts have been presented. 

About Feb. 10th, a wagon train was organized, consisting of thirty 
wagons, and forty-five teamsters and guards, commanded by Capt. Oliver 
Shead, and Licuts. O’Brian and Remley. The danger and difficulty of 
the duties performed by this train, can only be appreciated by one ac_ 
quainted with the state of the country and of the roads at the time. As 
soon as organized, the train was despatched from Fort Stevens (Yelm 
prairie) to Fort Hays (Connell’s prairie) via. Camp Montgomery, with 
supplies for the troops then in the field: remaining until a block house was 
built on Puyallup river, it moved again to Connell’s Prairie, and thence re¬ 
turned to Olympia, about March 10th. From this time until June it was 
busily engaged in transporting stores to the different posts scattered over 
the country. Again assembled at Camp Montgomery, it transported the 
stores intended for Col. Shaw’s command to Fort Hays, and thence part 
of the wagons returned, bringing the stores not turned over to the regular 
troops with the post. The remainder (five or six wagons) were sent to 
South Prairie, whence they returned with the public property when that 
post was abandoned. A portion of this train was retained until the latter 
part of September. It is necessary to remark here, that the men of the 
train were its only escort, and that during several months’ service, not an 
animal was lost or captured. 

A pack train, consisting of 109 animals, laden with provisions and 
ammunition, and 21 men, under charge of Capt. Armstrong, accompanied 
the right wing of the 2d regiment in its march from Puget Sound to 
the Walla Walla, under command of Col. Shaw. With almost unprece¬ 
dented good fortune it reached the latter place with the loss of only one 
horse and pack, caused by the animal stepping from the trail, at a danger¬ 
ous pass, into the Nachess river beneath. Without other accident, on 
July 9th, the command was joined by Capt. Robie’s Ass’t Q. Master’s 
ain, from whom a fresh supply of provisions was drawn, those brought 
over the mountains being nearly exhausted, 

The good fortune of the train did not continue throughout the cam¬ 
paign. Having been dispatched, July 26th, from the camp on Mill Creek 
to the Dalles, 0. T. for supplies, the train, with a small escort of twenty- 
five men, was attacked on its return by a body of Indians near the Wal¬ 
la Walla river. After fighting from 10 A. M., until about IIP. M., 
their ammunition being exhausted, the escort and packers were compelled 
to leave the packs, and happily made good their^retreat to Fort Mason, 
distant about 10 miles. 

The duties at Port Townsend were peculiar, and were ably performed 

Capt. R. S. Robinson, Q. Master at that post. Fort Ebey, on the 


53 


Snohomish, and Forts Tilton and Alden, on the Snoqualmie, were garri¬ 
soned by the northern battalion. 

Vessels were chartered to ply between Victoria, (Vancouver's Island) 
where most of the supplies were purchased, and posts on the upper part 
of the Sound. 

From Port Townsend the provisions were sent to the different posts, 
by way of the rivers, in canoes manned by friendly Indians, but under 
charge of white men, a distance of twenty-five miles. The manner in 
which this duty was performed is most creditable to Capt. Robinson. 

Capt. Robie, Q. Master at the Dalles, started in June from that 
place with a train of 45 wagons and thirty-five pack animals, escorted by 
the command of Capt. Goff. Depositing its load at Walla Walla, the 
train returned to the Dales for a fresh supply, and by the 24th August, 
was again on the road to Walla Walla valley. In consequence of such 
promptness and activity, Col. Shaw's command was never in want of sup¬ 
plies. 

The success of the operations in the Q. Master and Commissary de¬ 
partment on the Columbia, is mainly due, however, to the energy and 
ability with which Col. Hurd and Capt. Millard effected purchases, and 
pushed forward supplies to the Dalles. 

In addition to the above, this department has furnished supplies to 
detachments and companies in almost every part of the territory, and 
block houses, roads and ferries, have been constructed under its direction. 

In obedience to orders, the public property has been disposed of as 
soon as possible, and all haste is being made to bring the affairs of the 
department to a close. I am gratified to be able to state that much of it 
sold at a high advance on the original prices, which were regarded as ex¬ 
travagant at the commencement of the war. Yet horses, which cost from 
$250 to $400 brought from $200 to $600; wagons, costing $200, were rea¬ 
dily sold for $300, and oxen were disposed of at $30 per cent, above cost. 
This, too, after the property had been of course deteriorated by 6 month's 
active service. 

As an evidence of the fidelity with which the public interest has been 
protected, it is sufficient to state that, whilst 511 horses were purchased 
for the service, 600 have been turned in and sold. When it is remembered 
that many of the animals have died in service, and that many have been 
captured by the enemy, it will be seen how faithfully the animals pur¬ 
chased and those captured at Grand Ronde have been accounted for. 

I am much indebted to all, both officers and employees, for their zeal¬ 
ous and intelligent co-operation. My thanks are especially due to the gen- 


54 


tleinen in this office for their constant and untiring devotion to their duties. 
The accounts are being rapidly brought to a close, and I hope soon to be 
able to present them for final adjustment. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

(Signed,) WILLIAM W. MILLER, 

Q. M. & Com. Gen., W. T. T. 


REPORT OF CAPTAIN OF ENGINEERS. 


Head Quarters, Olympia, W. T. 


Gov. I. I. Stevens, 

Commander-in-Chief, W. T. V. 

Sir : In obedience to orders, I beg leave to transmit the follow¬ 

ing list of Block Houses and Stockades erected during the late Indian 
war, and whether built at the public or private expense. 

The following were erected either at the expense of the Quartermas¬ 
ter department, or by the volunteer troops in the field: 


Blockhouse 

(stockaded) at the Cowlitz Landing. 

do 

at French settlement, near Cowlitz Farms. 

do 

at Skookum Chuck. 

do 

on Chehalis river, below mouth of Skookum Chuck. 

do 

on Tenalquot Plains (Fort Miller.) 

do 

on Yelm Prairie, (Fort Stevens.) 

do 

at Lowe’s, on Chambers Prairie. 

Two do 

at Olympia. 

do 

(Stockaded) at Packwood’s ferry, (Fort Raglan.) 

Two do 

(Fort HicksJ at Montgomery’s, built by Pioneer Co. 

do 

(Fort White) crossing of the Puyallup. 

Two do 

(Fort Hays) Connel’s Prairie. 

Two do 

(Forts Pike and Posey) crossing of White river. 

do 

(Fort McAlister) on South Prairie. 

do 

(Fort Lander) on Dewamish, built by volunteers. 

do 

at Seattle. 

One do 

on Lone Tree Point. 

do 

(Fort Ebey) on Snohomish. 




55 


Blockhouses, (Fort Tilton) at head of canoe navigation, 1J miles below 
Snoqualmie Falls, built by northern battalion. 

do (Fort Alden) 2J miles above Snoqualmie Falls, on Ranger's 
Prairie, built by northern battalion, 
do at Port Townsend, 

do at Wilson's Point, 

do at Bellingham Bay. 

do at Skookum Chuck. 

do at Vancouver, built by Capt. Kelly's company, 

do at Fourth Prairie, 

do at Washougle river, 

do on Lewis river. 

do (Fort Mason) in Walla Walla Valley, built by order of 
Col. Shaw. 

do (Fort Preston) Michel's Fork of Nesqually, built by Capt. 
Miller's company. 

do on Klicatat Prairie, near Cowlitz. 

The following were built in different neighborhoods, by the settlers 
themselves, for mutual protection: 

Blockhouse, at Davis'. 

Stockade at Cochrans', on Skookum Chuck. 

do (Fort Henness) near Mound Prairie. 

Blockhouse on Tenalquet prairie. 

do at Nathan Eatons. 

Two blockhouses on Chamber's Prairie. 

Stockade at Bush's. 


do 

at Goodell's, 

Blockhouse at Ruddell's. 

do 

at Rutledge's. 

Two do 

at Falls, near Olympia. 

do 

at Dofflemyer's. 

do 

on Whidby's Island. 

do 

at Port Gamble, built by Capt. Keller. 

do 

(Fort Arkansas,) on Cowlits. 

do 

on Mime Prairie. 

do 

at Port Ludlow, 

do 

at Meigs' Mill. « 

Two do 

at Cascades. 

do 

at Boisefort. 


Built by the regular troops :— 

Fort Slaughter, on Muckelsheot Prairie, 


56 


Fort Malony, on the Puyallup river. 

Fort Thomas, on Green River. 

Blockhouse on Black River. 

In addition to the erection of these defences, portions of the troops 
and quartermaster’s men were employed in opening new roads, and repair¬ 
ing old ones, for the transportation of stores &c., from one defensive point 
to another. Amongst these may be mentioned as the most important, a 
trail cut from Porter’s Prairie to Ranger’s Prairie—wagon road fromC on“ 
nell’s to South Prairie—wagon road from Montgomerys and Connell’s 
Prairie to White River—ferry established on the Puyallup, at Fort White 
&c., performed by the Pioneer company, equally as distinguished for gal¬ 
lantry as for industry in the field, and a trail cut from Fort Tilton to Ran¬ 
ger’s Prairie, and thence to Cedar River—trail from Rattlesnake Prairie 
to Snoqualmie Pass, &c., by the northern battalion, which deserves the 
highest commendation for its soldier-like endurance of fatigue and hard¬ 
ships. 

I beg leave, herewith, to transmit two maps, one exhibiting the line 
of march of the right wing of the 2d regiment, W. T. V. from Puget 
Sound, to the Grand Ronde, as well as Capt. Goff’s (W. T. Y.) march 
from the Dalles to Burnt River, and the other showing the situation of 
the various blockhouses above mentioned. 

Respectfully, 

W. W. DE LACY, 

Capt. Engineers, W, T. Y. 


REPORT OF ORDNANCE OFFICER. 


Ordnance Dep’t, W. Y. Service, ) 
Olympia, Dec. 1st, 1856. ) 

Sir:— 

In obedience to orders, I have the honor to submit the following 
brief report relative to the public arms of the territory. 

Received from the United States Ordnance Department, as donated 
by act of congress to the territory, 

In percussion muskets, 1,980 

do rifles, 100 

Cavalry sabres, * 80 

Received by Acting Gov. Mason, on his requisition upon 
the military storekeeper at Columbia barracks (Fort 
Yancouver) and which are to be replaced out of the 
future quota of arms due the territory, 150 

There has been turned in by the volunteer officers since 

the disbandment of the forces up to Dec. 1st., 114-2,131 


ISSUED. 


To counties, on receipt of county commissioners, 1,046 

To counties for which commissioners have not yet for¬ 
warded receipts, 228 

To volunteer and naval officers, as per receipt, 224 

To citizens of the several counties on their individual 
receipts, 85 

The number retained and lost by citizens in the volun¬ 
teer service, as shown by muster rolls, and also, those 
not yet accounted for, amount to 117 

On hand, 784, 


8 


2,434 





58 


RECAPITULATION. 


Received—From Ordnance Department, U. S., 

2,110 


“ Columbia Barracks, 

150 


“ Yolunteers, 

174 


— 

2,434 

Issued—To counties, 

1,284 


to volunteer and naval officers, 

224 


to citizens, 

35 


volunteer service, 

117 


Arms on hand, 

784 

2,434 

Respectfully sumbitted, 




R. M. WALKER, 


Ordnance officer, W. T. Y. Service. 

His Excellency, 

Isaac I. Stevens, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief W. T. Y. Forces. 


CORRESPONDENCE 



Executive Office, W. T,, ) 

Olympia, Oct. 22d, 1856.f 

Hon. Robert B. McClelland, 

Secretary of the Interior, Washington City, D. C. : 


i 


Sir :—Herewith I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of an 
order issued by Lieut. Col. Steptoe, commanding in the Walla Walla 
valley. 


(copy of order.) 


Fort Dalles, 0. T., 
Aug. 20th, 1856. 


“ The undersigned, having been designated to establish a military post 
in the Walla Walla country, and with a view to prevent all misunder¬ 
standing on the subject, believes it proper to make known the following 
instructions he has recently received from the Pacific Military Department. 

“No emigrant or other white person, except the Hudson’s Bay Co., or 
persons having ceded rights from the Indians, will be permitted to settle or 
to remain in the Indian country, or on land not settled or not confirmed by 
the Senate and approved by the President of the United States. 

“ These orders are not, however, to apply to the miners engaged in 
collecting gold at Colville mines.” 


(Signed,) 


E. J. STEPTOE, 

Brev’t Col. U. S. A. 


By reference to the act of Congress approved Sept. 27th, 1850, en¬ 
titled “An act creating the office of Surveyor General of the public lands 
in Oregon, &c.,” and the acts of Feb. 14th, 1858, and July 17th, 1854, 
amendatory thereto, applicable alike to Washington territory, all the pub¬ 
lic domain in this territory was thrown open to settlers, they being required, 
in order to perfect the donation thus offered to them, to perform certain 


<50 


tcts of “residence and cultivation.” By reference to the 4th and 5th bec¬ 
kons of the act first above mentioned, it will be found that the words of 
donation are “that there shall be and hereby is granted, SfC. words which 
at once vest a right in the occupant of the soil dependant simply upon the 
performance of a condition subsequent, a mere act of volition on his part. 
By the language of the statute referred to, it would seem that all title had 
passed from the general government, and it simply remained for the settler 
to fulfil the conditions. 

Under the provisions of this act some fifty to seventy-five citizens had 
taken claims in the territory lying east of the Cascade mountains, and af¬ 
fected by the above order, and resided upon them until driven off by the 
Indians. 

By an order of a military officer of the United States they are now- 
forbidden to return to their homes, and impliedly threatened wiih expulsion 
should they do so. 

Your early attention is called to this matter, for it certainly must be 
doubted whether the commanding officer of a department or district can 
legally exercise an authority which abrogates a statute of the United 
States, and deprives citizens of vested rights, acquired not only by boldly 
pushing forward on the frontier and seeking new homes in the wilderness, 
but also by the plighted faith of the government. 

. Yery respectfully, 

Your most obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. Territory Washington. 


Washington, Aug. 15, 1854. 

Hon. Jefferson Davis, 

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.: 

Sir :•—Arms and ammunition are much needed on Puget Sound, in 
order that the settlers may protect themselves from Indian depredations. 

The militia of the Territory has not yet been organized, though effi¬ 
cient steps to this end will be taken the coming winter. 

If under these circumstances arms and ammunition can be issued, I 
will request that it may be done without delay. I will suggest that one 
thousand stand of arms and one hundred thousand cartridges, with a few 
revolvers, be placed in depot at Fort Steilacoom, in the charge of the com¬ 
mandant, subject to the requisition of the government of the Territory. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

G ov. Washington Territory. 



61 


War Department, Washington, ) 
August 18th, 1854. j 

Sm : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 
the 15th instant, asking that arras and ammunition may be placed in de¬ 
pot at Fort Steilacoom in charge of the Governor of Washington territory. 

In reply, I have to inform you that under the law for arming the 
militia, the territory is not entitled to and cannot be supplied with arms 
until the return of the*’effective militia therein is received. 

Very respectfully, your ob’t serv't, 

(Signed,) JEFFERSON DAVIS, 

Sec’y of War. 

His Excellency I. I. Stevens, 

Gov. of Washington Territory, 


( EXTRACTS.) 

Olympia, W. T., Dec. 21, 1854. 

Hon. Jefferson Davis, 

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. : 

Sir : * * * * * * 

As regards the Columbia river and the two great routes to the States 
by the South Pass and the northern passes, it has seemed to me that the 
Walla Walla valley was the great point for a post, the Dalles and Van¬ 
couver being mainly depots held by a single company each. A military 
road is much needed from Vancouver to the Dalles, giving easy communi¬ 
cations at all seasons of the year. For greater economy, and till the ad¬ 
vance of settlements shall afford plentiful supplies, a portion of the garrison 
in the Walla Walla valley might be withdrawn to Vancouver. I make 
these suggestions as the result of my observations and experience in this 
country. 

******** 

I have the honor toVemain, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Sup’t Indian Affairs. 



62 


Executive Office, Olympia, W. T..) 

February 19 th, 1856. j 

Hon. Jefferson Davis, 

Secretary of War : 

Sir : — Having been constantly and closely occupied since my return 
from the Blackfeet council, I avail myself of this the first opportunity, to 
inform the Department fully of the condition of this territory in the exci¬ 
ting Indian war. And in order to arrive at a full understanding of the 
state of affairs, it is deemed necessary to state the facts connected with my 
return from the Missouri, where a treaty of peace and friendship had been 
concluded with the Blackfeet and other tribes of Indians. 

On the 29th day of October, when two days march from Fort Ben¬ 
ton, on my return to this place, W. H. Pearson reached my camp with an 
express from acting Governor Mason, bringing the startling intelligence that 
the Yakima Indians, with whom I had concluded a treaty in June last, 
had murdered a number of whites in their country, their agent, A. J. Bo- 
lon, and had finally broken out into open war ; had defeated a detachment 
of U. S. troops under Major Haller, and had declared their determination 
to exterminate all the whites in the country. 

It was supposed that the Cayuses, Walla Wallas and Umatillas would 
join, and that the Spokanes and Cour d* Alenes were disposed to hostilities. 

At this time my party of 25 men were in this condition—our animals 
were poor and jaded from the express service in which they had been em¬ 
ployed in the operations preliminary to the Blackfoot council, for our 
express had ranged from the Saskatchawan on the north to the Yellow 
Stone on the south. 

They possessed but few arms and but little ammunition, as we had, in 
coming up, found no use for them, passing through the territory of friendly 
Indians. 

Under these circumstances I halted the train; despatched my secreta¬ 
ry, Mr. Doty, to Forts Benton and Campbell to procure arms, ammunition, 
and fresh animals. Oct. 31st, I pushed forward to the Bitter Boot valley 
to make arrangements for fresh animals and supplies, instructing Mr. Doty 
to come on as rapidly as the condition of the train would permit. 

I reached the valley Nov. 4th, making the distance of 230 miles in 
4J days. 

The train left the Missouri Not. 4th, and reached Hell Gate in Bitter 
Boot valley, where I had established my camp, in 8 days, a distance of 
200 miles. 

I had overtaken, before reaching the valley, delegations of Nez Perce 
chiefs, who had attended the Blackfoot council. A conference was held 
with them at Hell Gate. They had already heard, through Indian ru- 


63 


mors, of the war below. I stated to them fully, the state of affairs, and 
requested that certain of their number would accompany me, it being my 
determination to push forward by way of the Cour d’Alene pass, although 
it was declared to be impracticable on account of snow. 

The result of our conference was most satisfactory. The whole party, 
numbering 14 men, among whom were Spotted Eagle, Looking Glass, and 
Three Feathers, principal chiefs among the Nez Perces, expressed their 
determination to accompany me, and share any danger to be encountered. 

They expressed a desire that, after crossing the mountains, I should 
go to their country, where a large force of their young men would ac¬ 
company me to the Dalles, and protect us with their lives against any 
enemy. 

Having replenished my train with all the animals to be had, on Nov. 
14th we pushed forward, crossed the Bitter Boot mountains the 20th, in 
snow 2J to three feet deep, and reached the Cceur d’Alene Mission the 
25th—taking the Cceur d’Alenes entirely by surprise. They had not 
thought it possible we would cross the mountains so late in the season. 

With the Cceur d’Alenes I held a council, and found them much ex¬ 
cited, on a balance for peace or for war, and a chance word might turn 
them either way. 

Humors of all kinds met us here : that the troops had fought a bat¬ 
tle with the Yakimas, and drove them across the Columbia towards the 
Spokane, and that the Walla Wallas, Cayuses and Umatillas, were in 
arms, and that they had been joined by a party of the Nez Perces. The 
accounts were of so contradictory a nature that nothing certain could be 
ascertained from them, excepting that the several tribes below were in 
arms, blocking up our road, and had threatened to cut off my party in 
any event. However, I determined to push to the Spokane. 

The Spokanes were even more surprised than the Cceur d’Alenes at 
seeing us. Three hours before my arrival they heard I was going to the 
settlements by way of New York. I immediately called a council, sent 
to Fort Colville for Mr. McDonald, in charge of that post of the Hud¬ 
son’s Bay Company, sent also for the Jesuit Fathers at that point. They 
arrived. A council was held, at which the whole Spokane nation was 
represented. The Cceur d’Alenes and Colville Indians also were present. 

The Spokanes and Colville Indians evinced extreme hostility of feel¬ 
ing —spoke of the war below—wanted it stopped—said the whites were 
wrong. The belief was current that Feu-pee-moz-moz would cut off my 
party, as he had repeatedly threatened. They had not joined in the war, 
but yet would make no promises to remain neutral. If the Indians now 
at war were driven into their country they would not answer for the con- 
equences ; probably many of the Spokanes would join them. 


64 


After a stormy council of several days, the Spokanes, Coeur d’Alenes, 
and Colvilles were entirely conciliated, and promised that they would re¬ 
ject all the overtures of the hostile Indians, and continue the firm friends 
of the whites. 

Having added to my party, and organized, &c., we thence made a 
forced march to the Nez Perce country, striking the Clear Water at Lap- 
wai. Here we found assembled the whole Nez Perce nation, excepting 
those in the buffalo country. 

Mr. Craig had received letters which informed me that the whole 
Walla Walla valley was blocked up with hostile Indians, and the Nez 
Perces said it was impossible to go through. 

I called a council, and proposed to them that 150 of their young 
men should accompany me to the Dalles. 

Without hesitation they agreed to go. Whilst in the council, ma¬ 
king arrangements for our movements, news came that a force of gallant 
Oregon volunteers, four hundred strong, had met the Indians in the Wal¬ 
la Walla valley, and, after four days’ hard fighting, having a number of 
officers and men killed and wounded, had completely routed the enemy— 
driving them across the Snake river, and towards the Nez Perce country. 

The next day I pushed forward, accompanied by 69 Nez Perces, 
well armed, and reached Walla Walla without encountering any hostile 
Indians. They had all been driven across Snake river below us by the 
Oregon troops. 

It is now proper to inquire, what would have been the condition of 
my party, had not the Oregon troops vigorously pushed into the field and 
gallantly defeated the enemy? 

The country between the Blue Mountains and the Columbia was 
overrun with Indians, numbering 1,000 to 1,200 warriors, including the 
force at Priest Rapids, under Kamiaken, who had sworn to cut me off; it 
was completely blocked up. 

One effect of the campaign of the regulars and volunteers in the 
Yakima country under Brig. Gen. Raines, w T as to drive Kamiaken and 
his people on our side of the Columbia river, and thus endanger our 
movement from the Spokane to the Nez Perce country. 

Thus we had been hemmed in by a body of hostile Indians through 
whom we could have only forced our way with extreme difficulty, and at 
great loss of life. We might all have been sacrificed in the attempt. To 
the opening the way to my party, I am solely indebted to the Oregon 
volunteers. 

Peu-pee-mox-mox, the celebrated chief of the Walla Wallas, enter¬ 
tained an extreme hostility towards myself and party, owing to imaginary 
wrongs he supposed had been inflicted upon him in the treaty concluded 




65 

with the Cayuses and Walla Wallas last June, and had been known re¬ 
peatedly to threaten that I should never reach the Dalles. He was the 
first to commence hostilities by plundering Fort Walla Walla, and des¬ 
troying a large amount of property belonging to the TJ. S. Indian De¬ 
partment. 

This chief was taken prisoner by the Oregon volunteers, while en¬ 
deavoring to lead them into an ambush. During the heat of the first 
day’s battle, he and four other prisoners attempted to escape by forcibly 
attacking the guard, and were at once shot down. 

At Walla Walla I found some 25 settlers—the remainder having 
fled to the Dalles for protection. With these were 100 friendly Indians. 

Special Indian agent B. F. Shaw, Col. in the W. T. militia, was on 
the ground, and I at once organized the district, placed him in command, 
and directed him, if necessary, to fortify, but at all events, to maintain 
his ground, should the Oregon troops be disbanded before another force 
could take the field. 

The Kez Perces auxiliaries were disbanded, and returned home. 

Thus we had reached a place of safety unaided, excepting by the 
fortunate movements of the Oregon troops. Hot a single man had been 
pushed forward to meet us. Although it was well known we should cross 
the mountains about a certain time, and arrive at Walla Walla about the 
time we did. Why was this ? Arrangements had been made with Maj. 
Raines by Acting Governor Mason, to push forward a force under Col. 
Shaw to meet me at Spokane about the time of my arrival there. A 
company had been enlisted, organized, and marched to Fort Vancouver 
to obtain equipments, rations and transportation, which Major Rains had 
promised both Gov. Mason and Col. Shaw should be promptly furnished 
them. Some little delay ensued, and in the meantime, Major Gen. Wool 
arrived, who immediately declined equipping the company, as promised 
by Major Raines, and stated that he could not, in any manner, recognize 
volunteers, or furnish them equipments or transportation, and declining 
to supply their place with regular troops, of whom, at Vancouver alone, 
were some 350 men. 

When remonstrated with by Capt. Wm. McKay, in command of the 
company to push forward to my assistance, when informed of the object 
for which the company was enlisted, and that, if it was not pushed for¬ 
ward at once, or if some other force was not sent, Gov. Stevens and his 
party would be in the most imminent danger, the General replied that, in 
his opinion, the danger was greatly exaggerated : that probably Governor 
Stevens would be able to protect himself, but if he could not, then Gov, 
Stevens could obtain an escort from Gen. Harney. 

What a reply was that? A moiety of the Indians now in arms had 
9 


66 


defeated a detachment of 100 U. S. regulars. Major Raines had placed 
on record his opinion that an insufficient force would be defeated by these 
Indians, and my party was supposed to number no more than 25 men. 
Yet Major General Wool very coolly says “Gov. Stevens can take care 
of himself.” So, too, in the remark that I could obtain aid from General 
Harney. Did Gen. Wool know that the distance from Fort Benton to 
the supposed position of Gen. Harney, was greater than the distance from 
Fort Benton to the Dalles, and that, to obtain aid from him, would re¬ 
quire not less than six months? And that an express, to reach him, must 
pass through the entire breadth of the Sioux country? Such ignorance 
shows great incapacity, and is inexcusable. 

Mr. Secretary:—Major General Wool, commanding the Pacific Di¬ 
vision, neglected and refused to send a force to the relief of myself and 
party, when known to be in imminent danger, and believed by those who 
were best capable of judging, to be coming on to certain death, and this 
when he had at his command an efficient force of regular troops. He 
refused to sanction the agreement made between Gov. Mason and Major 
Raines for troops to be sent to my assistance, and ordered them to be 
disbanded. It was reserved for the Oregon troops to rescue us. 

The only demonstration made by Major Raines, resulted in showing 
his utter incapacity to command in the field. As has heretofore been 
said, his expedition against the Yakimas effected nothing but driving the 
Indians into the very country through which I must pass to reach the 
settlements. 

I therefore prefer charges against Gen. Wool. I accuse him of utter 
and signal incapacity, of criminal neglect of my safety. 1 ask for an in¬ 
vestigation into the matter, and for his removal from command. 

After making my arrangements in the Walla Walla valley, I pushed 
to A ancouver, coming down the trail, the river being still closed, con¬ 
ferred with Major Raines, and then hastened to Olympia as rapidly as 
possible, reaching my home on the 19th January. The Legislature were 
still in session, the greatest alarm prevailed throughout the Sound. The 
people were living in block houses. The enemy had gained the ad¬ 
vantage, and the regulars and volunteers had retired before them. Rein¬ 
forcements were coming from the other side of the mountains to the hos¬ 
tile Indians. In obedience to my own convictions of duty, and in res¬ 
ponse to the sentiments of this entire community, I issued my proclama¬ 
tion, calling for six companies of volunteers for the defense of the Sound 
appointed enrolling officers for the raising of three companies on the 
Columbia river, to operate east of the Cascades, and, after remaining in 
my office but ten days, went down the Sound to visit the friendly Indians, 




67 


confer with the inhabitants, and make the necessary arrangements for the 
troops to take the field. 

Since my arrival on the Sound, Seattle has been attacked, and every 
thing outside of its line of defences burned, except a small place named 
Alki, on the same bay with Seattle. The whole county of King has been 
devastated. Rumors of all the places being attacked, have reached us 
daily. The Northern Indians have commenced making depredations. 
They are meditating to send 16 war canoes against us. These canoes carry 
75 men each, and can be urged with great velocity through stormy seas. 
To meet which danger, I have requested Capt. Gansevoort, now com¬ 
manding the naval forces of the Sound, to keep the steamer “Active” 
cruising between Port Townsend, Bellingham Bay and Seattle, and I have 
advised Gov. Douglass, of Vancouver’s Island, of the fact, and requested 
him to keep one of the Hudson’s Bay Steamers cruising in the waters of 
his jurisdiction, and to keep me advised of the movements of the Indians 
alleged to be hostile. 

I have also raised a force of friendly Indians to operate against the 
hostiles. They are already in the field : are supported by the available 
strength of the Northern battalion of the Washington territory volun¬ 
teers, and have struck two decisive blows. The Central battalion have 
moved from this quarter, and are now establishing a depot at Montgom¬ 
ery’s : will on Friday or Saturday move on the Puyallup, and will be re¬ 
inforced by friendly Indians. 

The most cordial relations exist between myself and Lt. Col. Casey, 
commanding the Puget Sound district, who appreciates fully the immin¬ 
ence of our danger, and who urges me to push into the field all the vol¬ 
unteers in my power. We shall act in concert throughout. 

Since my arrival at the Sound, I have re-visited the Columbia river, 
.and conferred with Col. Wright, 9th Infantry, in command of the Co¬ 
lumbia river district. By letter, I have urged both Col. Wright and Ma¬ 
jor Raines, previously in command of the district, to dispatch troops to 
the interior. They are not permitted to do so by the stringent orders of 
Gen. Wool, and knowing the necessity of prompt action, I have had no 
alternative but to call out volunteers. 

In Col. Wright I have entire confidence, and if he were allowed to 
act according to his own judgment, there would be nothing to apprehend. 
But it seems to be the determination of Gen. Wool to play the part of 
the dog in the manger—neither to act himself, nor to let others act. 

As commander-in-chief of the militia of Washington, and in view of 
my oath of office, I have taken the responsibility to act; every energy 
will be devoted to the work. The Indians now hostile on this side of the 


68 


mountains will soon, I trust, be struck, and peace restored to our dis¬ 
tracted land. 

For my full views in reference to operations east of the Cascades, 1 
enclose a copy of a memoir which I have addressed to Gen. Wool, with 
extracts of a letter to Col. Wright, modifying my views in certain par¬ 
ticulars, in consequence of the lateness of the season, and the condition of 
affairs on the Sound. 

I also send a copy of my message to the legislature, and of the mes¬ 
sage of Gov. Mason, when that legislature first assembled. 

Gov. Mason will soon be in Washington, from whom you will be able 
to gain every information which this office could furnish. 

I have the honor to remain, 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Sup. Ind. Affairs. 


Executive Office, Ter. Washington, j 

Olympia, March 9, 1856. j 

lion. Jefferson Davis, Secretary of War, 

Washington, D. C.: 

Sir :—Referring to my previous communication, setting forth the ne¬ 
cessity of calling out volunteers to protect our settlements, and co-ope¬ 
rate with the regular troops in waging war upon the hostile Indians, I 
have the honor to submit for the information of the department, the pres¬ 
ent condition of the volunteer service. 

The general plan of operation and the staff arrangements made to 
give efficiency to the service, will be shown in General Orders No. 4, here¬ 
with enclosed. 

It will thus appear that three battalions are to operate against the 
enemy. 

The Northern battalion is now rendezvousing at the falls of the 
Snoqualmie, will number about ninety men, will be supported by Pat Ka- 
nim and his band of nearly one hundred friendly Indians. This battalion 
is ordered to establish block houses on the prairie above the falls of the 
Snoqualmie, and on Cedar crpek ; will be supplied with sixty days’ provis- 



(39 


ions, and will prevent the Indians either crossing the mountains by the 
two passes of the Snoqualmie, or going down the Snohomish to tamper 
with the friendly Indians on the reservations. 

The Central battalion, under Major Gilmore Hays, is now estab¬ 
lished at Connell’s prairie, on the south side of White river. A block 
house and a corral have been built, and the communication with the same 
is secured by a ferry and block house on the Puyallup, and by block 
houses at Montgomery’s and on the Yelm prairie. They have one hun¬ 
dred days’ supplies of provisions, taken in by ox teams, which have since 
been withdrawn, and will immediately establish block houses at the cross¬ 
ing of White river, to communicate with the regular forces under the 
command of Lt. Col. Casey, on the Mucklesft»ot v pr&iric, and at Porter’s, 
higher up on White river. The cordial relations between the regulars 
and volunteers referred to in my last communication, still continue. I 
have every assurance that the volunteers will do their duty. 

The department will observe that one of the companies is a company 
of Pioneers. They are experienced axemen, and have rendered the most 
efficient service in opening roads and building blockhouses. The war will 
be emphatically a war of block houses. 

In the movement of the regular troops upon the Muckleshoot, a de¬ 
cisive battle was fought with the Indians, in which the latter were sig¬ 
nally defeated. Their establishment at Porter’s has since been broken up, 
and they have been driven towards Green river. If they continue their 
retreat further, they will be met by the volunteers and friendly Indians of 
the Northern battalion. 

The Southern battalion is still organizing, but their movement to the 
interior will be delayed for a short time, in consequence of my finding 
myself obliged to order over one company to the defence of the Sound. 
A band of hostiles, under the notorious Quiemuth, had, unknown to us, 
established themselves in the Nisqually bottom, Vithin twelve miles of this 
place, and the garrison at Steilacoom. We became aware of their presence 
one week since, they having on that day killed one of our citizens. One of 
the teamsters had been for some days missing, and that he also had been 
killed, was ascertained the same day. The whole force of the Central 
battalion except 15, was then in the Indian country on White river. Im¬ 
mediately an express was dispatched to the Columbia river, ordering 
Capt. Maxon’s mounted company to the Sound, and to-night his company 
will be at Jackson’s, ninety miles on the road. The rapidity of the move¬ 
ment is the best evidence of the necessity of action, and the disposition 
of the troops to obey orders. In the meantime, I have raised the force 
of 15 men to sixty, and in addition, have sent twenty-nine friendly Indi¬ 
ans into the field. These Indians are led by experienced white men. 


70 


The hostiles have, within ten days, driven off much stock, and have 
alarmed our entire settlement. We hope soon to route them. It is nec¬ 
essary to have considerable guard to all our teams. The mail from the 
Columbia came in on Friday with an escort of 4 men. 

The danger is not so much from the harm which this band may, of 
its own strength do, as it numbers not over 40 warriors, but from the fa¬ 
cility with which they may communicate with the friendly Indians on the 
reservations, and stir them up to hostility. 

Seattle is held by a company of volunteers, consisting of 40 odd 
men, commanded by the Chief Justice of the territory, Lieut. Col. Lan¬ 
der. 

Lone Tree Point, whicn commands a trail from the camp of the hos¬ 
tiles to the Sound, whence they may communicate with the reservations, is 
also held by a volunteer force of ten men. They have built a suitable 
block house. 

Our people are not dismayed. Wherever 4 families are, they will 
build a block house, hold it against the Indians, and endeavor to get in 
their crops. Over one-half of the able bodied men on the Sound are 
bearing arms. Our people have patriotically placed at the disposal of 
the authorities all their available means. We need aid from general go¬ 
vernment—ample appropriations to defray the expenses of the war. 

I have refused to receive into service a single man for local defence. 
All are enlisted for six months, subject to the orders of the Executive. 
In this way, an effectual stop has been put to any attempt to enroll troops 
for nominal service, with a view of extorting pay and rations from the 
government. 

I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 

(Signed,; ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. Wash. Ter. 


[No. L] 


Executive Office, Ter. Washington, [ 
Olympia, March 21st., 1856. J 

Hon. Jefferson Davis, Secretary of War, 

Washington City :— 

Sir In my two reports of February 19th, and March 9th, I laid 
before the department the circumstances of my return from the Blackfoot 



71 


country : the condition of the territory, aud the measures taken by me 
to call out volunteers, and to apply them to the prosecution of the war. 
I now propose to lay before the department a full view of the whole mat¬ 
ter, and to indicate the measures which, in my judgment, are still neces¬ 
sary to protect these distant settlements, and to inflict that summary 
chastisement upon the Indians, demanded both by their unprovoked atro¬ 
cities, and the permanent peace of the country. . . 

I have caused two maps to be prepared—one of the country west of 
the Cascades, showing the points now occupied by that portion of the 
friendly Indians who, for five months, have been under the charge of local 
agents—the lines occupied by the regular troops now in the field, under 
the command of Lt. Col. Casey ; the point occupied by the naval forces; 
the lines occupied by the volunteer forces now in the field ; the block 
houses occupied by our citizens ; the lines of supplies ; the depots for 
their protection ; the country occupied by the hostiles ; the lines over 
which reinforcements can come to them from east of the Cascades, and 
one of the country east of the Cascades, showing the tribes, the lines of 
communication, and the points, at the latest advices occupied by the hostiles. 
The number of souls and warriors will be shown on this map. 

The settlements are now so secured by blockhouses, that the citizens 
will hold them even should every Indian on the Sound become hostile, 
and be reinforced by large bands from the north. 

The whole country on the eastern shore of the Sound, from the Skoo- 
kum Chuck to the Snohomish, is a war ground. No friendly Indian is 
allowed there unless he has a pass from an authorized agent, stating his 
special business, or he be connected with the military or naval service. 
Two parties of Indian auxiliaries ate now in the field, besides which, quite 
a number of Indians are employed as guides, and in canoe service. 

I will give a condensed view of the present condition of the military 
operations on the Sound. 

1. The regular troops now occupy the Muckleshoot prairie as their 
central position. The line of communication to Steilacoom is secured by 
a block house and ferry at the crossing of the Puyallup. A company has 
been sent to Seattle to move up the Dawamish and open a communication 
with the central position. A blockhouse will be established at the mouth 
of Cedar creek, and probably at John Thomas’. The force under Lt. 
Col. Casey has been very active, and this gallant officer has made the 
most favorable impression upon our people. 

2. The naval forces occupy Seattle. This place is also held by a 
company of volunteers, who, for some days, have been under orders to 
occupy the line of the Dewamish, and who, in that duty, will co-operate 
with the company sent there by Lt. Col. Casey. 


72 


3. The Northern battalion have their head quarters at Fort Tilton, 
near the falls of the Snoquahnie. They number about 90 white men, and 
about the same number of friendly Indians under Pat Kaniin. They will 
establish block houses at the prairie above the falls, and on Cedar creek, 
and will extend their scouts to the Muckleshoot and Dewamisli. 

4. To circumscribe the field occupied by the enemy, I have sugges¬ 
ted to Capt. Swartwout, in command of the naval forces, a joint opera¬ 
tion upon' the lake back of Seattle. A block house to be built on the 
lake at the nearest point to Seattle, a good road opened with Seattle, 
and boats from the navy with one hundred men to be placed on the lakes. 
Capt. Swartwout, does not, however, by liis instructions, feel authorized 
either to co-operate with the military authorities of the territory, or to 
take part in any operation carrying his force away from the immediate 
shores of the Sound. I enclose a copy of my letter to Capt. Swartwout, 
and his reply thereto. 

5. The Central battalion have their head quarters at ComielFs 
prairie, and at Porter’s. Their communication with the rear is secured 
by a block house and ferry at the crossing of the Puyallup, and block¬ 
houses at Montgomery’s, at the Yelm prairie, at Nathan Eaton’s, and at 
Lowe’s. The battalion numbers in the field, including the garrison of 
Yelm and Montgomery, and the crossing of the Puyallup, about 150 
men. 

6. Our supplies are drawn mainly from the country between this 
point and the Cowlitz Landing. The route is well secured by block 
houses. 

t. Lone Tree Point is also held by a volunteer force of ten men. 
It guards several important trails. 

8. Bellingham Bay has its block house, defended by 15 men of 
Capt. Peabody’s company. 

9. The Southern battalion, on its arrival on the Sound, will be for the 
most part dismounted, and sent to re-inforce the Central battalion. The 
two battalions will then operate up White river towards the Nachess 
pass, co-operating with Lt. Col. Casey. 

The map of the country east of the Cascades will show the large 

number of Indians already hostile, or who may be incited to hostility_ 

the ease with which they may communicate with each other—the great 
number of excellent trails—the large extent of country embraced in the 
theatre of operations, and the facility with which reinforcements can be 
sent over the Cascades. 

Hence the importance of the most vigorous and decisive blows, to 
get possession of the whole country cast of the Sound, now infested with 
the savages, and to hold in our hands the routes over the Cascades, be- 


73 


fore they become practicable in May, and hence the necessity of the most 
vigorous measures east of the Cascades, in order that the Indians may be 
simultaneously struck in the Yakima country. 

It is probable that the hostile Indians rather exceed the minimum 
estimate of two hundred men, as stated in my letter to Gen. Wool, a copy 
of which has been sent to the department, but I do not think they will be 
found to exceed three hundred men. 

Their head quarters have been on the Muckleshoot prairie, now oc¬ 
cupied by Lt. Col. Casey, and now they have moved up either White or 
Green river. But there are bands also on the lake back of Seattle, and 
probably up Cedar creek. 

The map will show that even the hostiles are only within a four 
hour’s distance of every reservation. There are many trails known only 
to the Indians, and it will not be possible in any contingency, entirely to 
prevent communication. 

From the hostile camps, marauding parties can steal out, and turn¬ 
ing the heads of the Puyallup and Nesqually, they can, in from 6 to 12 
hours, strike any settlement' from Steilacoom to the Cowlitz Landing. 
More than this, there are places where they can, on this line of settle¬ 
ments, establish themselves, and for many days defy our efforts to drive 
them out. 

Consider the face of the country, prairies and heavy timber, and 
many streams, almost impenetrable brushwood on the banks, and heavy 
drift along the shore. There is not a road or trail of twenty miles in 
the whole Sound country which does not afford one or more excellent am¬ 
buscades. 

Between this place and Cowlitz Landing are two Indian reservations, 
the Chehalis and Cowlitz. The former can easily be incited to hostility, 
and number a little more than 100 warriors : we know some three or 
four men who are endeavoring to stir up the tribe to war. My plan has 
been to get up a small auxiliary force of some 15 of the best of the 
tribe, who make scouts every few days to the head of the Skookum 
Chuck. It has been found to work well. The difficulty is, that if the 
men of the tribe, believed to be- in alliance with Leschi, were summarily 
disposed of, the tribe would break out. We have no positive evidence, 
except the impression of their commander, Capt. Ford, who is of opinion 
that in his late trip, two of the men tried to kill him. He has great dar¬ 
ing and presence of mind, and he believes that he can prevent an out¬ 
break. 

So of the reservation opposite Olympia. Lieut. Gosnell has made 
one scout in the Nesqually bottom of ten days, with 14 Indians. Yes¬ 
terday morning he started out on a scout of three days with thirty Indi- 
10 


74 


ans. The effect of the first scout was salutary. Such I doubt not will 
be the effect of the second, yet in the first scout Lieut. Gosnell went with 
his life in his hands. Some of his Indians were more than suspected, and 
he went with them alone. 

The most melancholy feature of the war is, that the Indians who 
have taken the lead in murdering our men, our women and our children, 
were those who had received the most favors from the whites, and were 
held by them in the most consideration. Many cases have occurred of 
Indians killing their friends and benefactors. Are you surprised that a 
general distrust of all Indians pervades the public mind? Therefore, con¬ 
sider the task which has been imposed upon the territorial authorities to 
see to it that the Indians not taking part with the hostiles are treated as 
friends. 

In short, this whole country is a frontier, within a few hours of the 
camp of the hostile Indians, and with four thousand friendly Indians in 
our midst of whose faith we cannot be certain. 

Our safety lies in two things. 1st. To carry the war against the 
hostiles with the whole force of the territory, and to bring them to un¬ 
conditional submission. And, 2nd. To give no cause of offense to the 
friendly Indians, even in the case of persons more than suspected. 

You have served in an Indian country, and know something of In¬ 
dian modes of thinking, and can appreciate that when, in a contest like 
this, troops have once entered the field, they must not be withdrawn till 
they have accomplished the object for which they were sent into the field. 
There must be no change of plans. We must push forward and do the 
work we have undertaken, else the Indian will say he has driven us from 
the field, and thereby get large accessions from the tribes who would oth¬ 
erwise continue friendly. 

Gen. Wool has recently visited the Sound, and, with a full knowl¬ 
edge of the course taken by me in calling out the volunteers of the ter¬ 
ritory, of the cordial spirit of co-operation between Lt. Col. Casey and 
myself, and of the fact that the volunteers were actually in the field en¬ 
gaging the enemy, has ignored, officially, the necessity of this ; but has 
practically admitted it in directing Col. Casey to make a requisition upon 
me for two companies of volunteers. This requisition I have refused for 
reasons which will be found in my letter to Col. Casey and Major Gen. 
Wool herewith enclosed. 

'Ihose reasons, it seems to me, are conclusive, and they show the ne¬ 
cessity of removing from the command of the Department of the Pacific, 
a man who has, by his acts, so far as this territory is concerned, shown an 
utter incapacity. 

I will most respectfully call your attention to my letter to General 



75 


Wool, and to bis letter, to which mine was an answer, and I simply ask 
that justice may be done us. 

So long as I am the Governor of Washington, and till I receive in¬ 
structions from my superior, I shall press on in the path indicated in that 
letter to Gen. Wool. 

^ I beg leave respectfully to re-capitulate briefly the points of differ¬ 
ence :— 

1. Gen. Wool states that the movement of the Oregon volunteers 
was entirely unnecessary, and precipitated the Walla Walla and other 
tribes into hostility. 

I assert that this movement probably saved my party from destruc¬ 
tion, and that the Indians then hostile had been so even before the Oregon 
volunteers moved against them. 

2. Gen. Wool states that Gov. Curry had no right to move his 
troops into the territory of Washington. 

I assert and have shown that the Oregon volunteers fought the In¬ 
dians mainly of Oregon, and that near the confines of the two territories. 

3. Gen. Wool states if the Oregon volunteers are withdrawn, he 
will have no trouble in managing affairs, and keeping the JS T ez Perces 
friendly. 

I state officially to Gen. Wool, and to the Department, that the Kez 
Perces are in my hands, and that, without an armed man, I will undertake 
to keep the Nez Perces friendly, if Gen. Wool does not interfere with me 
in the management of those Indians. But I also state that Gen. Wool, 
in addition to his regular force, will require the best efforts of the Oregon 
volunteers to strike such blows this spring and summer , as will protect 
the settlements. He can do nothing more. He must wait till next winter 
to strike blows to end the war east of the Cascades. I refer to my me¬ 
moir. 

The department will thus see that I consider the war east of the 
Cascades of great magnitude, and that it would have been vastly greater 
were it not for the concurrence of two things. 1st. The movement of 
the Oregon volunteers to the Walla Walla valley, and, 2d. My return 
by the direct route, and not by way of New York. 

It is simply an exigency to be met, and met by all the authorities, in 
the spirit of cordial co-operation, looking to the public good alone, with¬ 
out any reference to personal considerations. 

I have, therefore, suggested to Gen. Wool the necessity of recogni¬ 
zing the services of the Oregon volunteers. But I expect nothing from 
him, and I shall, therefore, take my own course, with the determination 
that, if disasters occur, not a tittle of the responsibility shall be attached 
to me. 


76 


The war here must be ended as rapidly as possible, and all the dis¬ 
posable force kept in the field till the enemy’s country is occupied, and his 
force scattered. 

All our horsemen must then be ready to cross the Cascades, to move 
against the hostiles, who may then, with greatly superior numbers, be en¬ 
countering the troops. 

I have, therefore, ordered all the troops from the Columbia valley to 
the Sound, and have directed a train of 100 pack animals and 40 wagons 
to be ready to cross the Nachess the last of May. 

I have ordered that supplies and transportation be engaged to place 
in depot at Walla Walla 15 days’ provision for 250 men. 

The Oregon volunteers have crossed Snake river, and have already 
probably struck the enemy. Should they succeed in striking, on their 
return, the enemy in the Yakima country, and should the movement be 
followed up by the regular troops, I trust that my operations will be con¬ 
fined to the country on the Sound. 

Should, however, nothing decisive be done in the Yakima country till 
the passes are open, our situation here will be critical, and the defense of 
the Sound, as regards the Indians east of the Cascades, may be best ac¬ 
complished by waging war against them in their own country. I have 
looked to this exigency from the beginning. Hence volunteers were 
raised for six months. 

Hence supplies and transportation for the same period. 

But we will be prepared for the worst, and hope for the best. 

The following papers accompany this report : 

1. Copy of Gen. Wool’s reply of Feb. 12, 1856, to my memoir to him 
of the 23d Dec., and 29th January. This memoir has already 
been transmitted to the War Department. 

2. Copy of my answer to this reply, dated March. 

3. Copy of my letter to Gen. Wool on his arrival at Steilacoon, intro¬ 
ducing Adg’t Gen. Tilton, and expressing my desire to co-operate 
with the regular service. 

4. Copy of Lt. Col. Casey’s letter, calling on me for two companies 
.of volunteers. 

5. Copy of my answer to the same, declining to call out the compa¬ 
nies. 

6. Copy of my letter to Capt. Swartwout, commanding naval forces 
of the Sound, proposing a combined movement of the military and naval 
forces. 

7. Copy of Capt. Swartwout’s letter declining to co-operate. 

I have thus endeavored to lay before the department the condition 


77 


of affairs, and the measures of preparation and precaution taken by me 
to protect our suffering people, and I have the honor, sir, to be, 

\ ery respectfully, your most obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. Wash. Ter. 


[No. 8.] 

Executive Office, Ter. Wash., ) 

Olympia, May 23d, 1856. ) 

Hon. Jefferson Davis, 

Secretary of War, Washington City, D. C. 

Sir :—Although the exact phase which the Indian war will assume 
the present summer is not yet fully developed, enough is known to point 
out clearly the preparations which should be made to meet probable con¬ 
tingencies. 

I propose, therefore, in this communication to set forth the present 
condition of the war, and the measures of preparation and precaution ta¬ 
ken by me as the Executive of the territory; and the commander-in-chief 
of the volunteer force. 

\. The war in the Territory of Washington , west of the Cascades. 

The war has been prosecuted with exceeding vigor, energy and suc¬ 
cess. The Indians have been defeated in two battles, one by the regulars 
at the crossing of White river, the other by the volunteers in Connell’s 
Prairie. The Indians have been repeatedly struck since by the regulars, 
by the volunteers, and by the Indian auxiliaries. The country has been 
thoroughly and repeatedly scouted in every direction, and is now firmly 
held by block houses and roads. Two hundred Indians have been got in 
back of Seattle by the volunteers, and those believed to have been en¬ 
gaged in the war, are now being tried by a military commission ordered 
by me at Seattle. 

On the Puyallup and Nesqually, the Indians have been got in to the 
number of nearly three hundred. Some have been tried by a commission 
ordered by Lt. Col, Casey, others by a commission held under my orders. 

The principle adopted in all these commissions is to try and punish 
summarily those accused and proved ,to be instigators of the war, and 



78 


parties to murders* The remainder are sent to the reservations in charge 
of local agents. 

The main body of the hostiles have been driven across the mountains, 
and under the lead of Leschi, are in the camp of the confederated hostile 
force on the Nachess Pass. 

Their spies are on this side—are constantly communicating informa¬ 
tion to them, and the plan of the hostiles is to send parties through differ¬ 
ent passes to lay waste and burn the settlements. 

This suggests the plan to be pursued to meet the emergency— 

1. To move over the Nachess with two hundred horsemen, to strike 
the enemy in conjunction with the regular troops, to closely pursue and 
drive him across the Columbia. Thus the war will be transferred from 
the settlements to the interior. 

2. But as small parties may defy the utmost exertions and vigilance 
of a vastly superior force, and cross the mountains to the settlements, 
troops should be in position to watch the passes, and at suitable points in 
•reserve to protect a point unexpectedly attacked. 

A volunteer force of one hundred strong is in the neighborhood of 
;the falls of the Snoqualmie, at the depot of Port Tilton, below the falls, 
at a post on a large prairie above the falls, and at an advance post on 
Cedar Creek. Their orders are to watch the passes, to send scouts over 
across the mountains, to maintain their position in case of attack by a 
superior force, and send back for reinforcements. 

This flank is a very important one, and must be maintained at all 
hazards, because it gives direct access to the great body of friendly Indi¬ 
ans on the reservation, and if broken, considerable accessions might ac¬ 
crue to the hostiles. 

* 

The regular force, in conjunction with a small volunteer company 
raised at Seattle, is now occupying the country on White and Green riv¬ 
ers, the lower portion of Cedar creek, and the country about Black river 
and the Dewamish Lake. They also occupy the lower crossing of the 
Puyallup, and the country about Steilacoom. 

The volunteer force occupies the conntry with posts thence to Van¬ 
couver. The report and map already forwarded will explain where posts 
have been established. 

Since the report has been transmitted, a post has been established on 
South Prairie, a large block house built on the Tenalquot Plains, a short 
line of communication opened from the Yelm to Grand Mound, and a 
wagon road nearly pushed through from the Cowlitz Landing to Monti- 
cello. Two ferries have been established on the Cowlitz. 

A company of nearly ninety men has been raised on the Cowlitz. It is 
divided into an active and reserved list. The former, consisting of about 


79 


forty men, is constantly engaged on scouting duty up the Cowlitz river r 
and towards Lewis river pass. A small company of Indian auxiliaries 
will be employed with them. The reserved list meet once a week for in¬ 
spection. But except for the day of inspection, they are not provided 
with rations, nor will payment for services be recommended by me.. 

It is here proper to state the utmost cordiality pervades between the 
regular and volunteer forces. They have scouted together, and' have 
practically held the whole field in co-operation, and brought about the 
present condition of things. All this has been essentially done in the 
rainy season. The toils, hardships, and marches, and the blows struck 
by all the troops in heavy rains and inclement weather, is worthy of sper 
cial commendation. 

But the passes are now open, leaves are on the trees,, food is abundant 
for the Indians. I consider this the critical period of the war west of 
the Cascades, Let us look, therefore, to 

2 d. The war east of the Cascades. 

It is not to be disguised that the tribes east of the mountains thus 
far consider themselves the victors. When Col. Wright commenced his 
march into the Yakima country early this month, they practically held 
the whole country for which they had been fighting. Not a white man 
now is to be found from the Dalles to the Walla Walla; not a house 
stands, and Col. Wright, at the last advices, was in the Nachess in pres¬ 
ence of twelve to fifteen hundred warriors, determined' to fight. All the 
confederated bands are there. 

Col. Wright met the hostiles on the 8th May—made an ineffectual 
attempt to treat with them till the 14th. On the evening of the eleventh, 
he despatched an express to the Dalles for re-inforcements, and on the 13th 
or 14th, three companies went to his assistance, and probably reached 
him on the 16th or ITth inst. His force then would number some 250 
effectual men. 

If the Indians are so emboldened by their success as to believe they 
can overcome Col. Wright in a hard fight, it will be fortunate, as the reg¬ 
ular force will strike a severe blow, and may drive them across the Co¬ 
lumbia. 

It seems to me probable that they will simply attempt to harrass and 
annoy him, will stettl his animals, will draw him further north into their 
country, will send parties to the rear to compel him to make detachments, 
will gain time, so that his provisions may be consumed, and reduce his 
operations mainly to occupying a post or two and supplying them. 

Two hundred horsemen on the Nachess, well supplied and mounted, 
under a vigorous officer, at this juncture, will, with the operation of the 


80 


regular troops, drive him across the Columbia. This force I am now or¬ 
ganizing at camp Montgomery. It will be ready in ten days. 

In this view, the Walla Walla country must be held; communication 
be established with the Nez Perce auxiliaries, and the enemy restricted to 
the country north of the Snake, and on the immediate banks of the Co¬ 
lumbia, north of the Snake. 

I am organizing a force of two hundred men to occupy the Walla 
Walla. One hundred men are already at the Dalles. They will move 
with one hundred days’ provisions, and some to spare for the Nez Perces 
auxiliaries, and the troops which may be concentrated there from the Ya¬ 
kima country. 

The Yakima and Walla Walla country firmly held, the passes well 
watched over the Cascades—the main force of the enemy on the Snake 
and Upper Columbia—we may then be able to disband the bulk of the 
remaining volunteers on the Sound. 

This most favorable view of the progress of the war, which cannot 
be developed in a shorter period than four to six weeks, will practically 
keep in service all the volunteers for their six months’ term of service, and 
may render it necessary to extend the term on the part of those occupy¬ 
ing the Walla Walla. 

I cannot too strongly urge the policy of accumulating supplies in the 
Yakima country and in the Walla Walla, in readiness to wage a winter 
campaign. 

On the first of November, there should be six months’ supplies for all 
the troops in both the Yakima and Walla Walla country. There should 
be ample supplies of forage. There should be a post and ferry at or 
near the sight of old Fort Walla Walla, and at or near the mouth of the 
Palouse. 

With proper preparations, a winter campaign can be Waged, and the 
war ended. I have personal knowledge of the winter features of the 
country. 

To diminish transportation, make use of ox teams : send forward 
salt : return the Wagons with two yokes instead of three : use fresh and 
dried beef as much as possible, and reduce the rations of flour to one-half 
pound a day. 

Troops would be perfectly healthy with one-third of a pound of flour 
per man each day, using fresh or dried beef. 

Thus, to transfer the war from the settlements on the Sound and the 
Columbia river to the interior, to strike such blows as opportunities may 
offer, and to be in readiness to prepare for a vigorous winter campaign, 

I shall, in ten days be ready to move over the Nachess with two hundred 


81 


horsemen and 150 pack animals, and to the Walla Walla with two hund¬ 
red horsemen and 100 days’ provisions. 

For the lower Columbia, a company has been organized in Clarke 
county. Several block houses have been built. A portion are constantly 
kept scouting. The remainder will form a reserved list without pay or 
rations. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your ob’t servant, 

(Signed,) * ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. Ter. Wash. 


[No. 0.] 


Executive Office, Ter. Wash., ) 
Olympia, May 23, 1856. ) 


Hon. Jefferson Davis, 

Secretary of War, Washington City. 

Sir :—Referring to my communication of this date, setting forth 
the present condition of the Indian war, and the measures of precaution 
taken by me to meet probable contingencies, I propose in this letter to 
submit an estimate of the probable expenses of the volunteer service of 
the territory of Washington to the first day of September next. 

There have been two distinct organizations, one of three months at 
the commencement of the war, the second of six months at the expiration 
of the former. 

The six months terms commenced late in January, and the organiza¬ 
tion was not complete till early in April. Latterly, to recruit certain 
companies, three months men have been raised. 

It is hoped there will be no necessity of raising additional troops, ex¬ 
cept to supply the places vacated by expiration of terms of service. Pro¬ 
vision in the estimate is therefore made only for keeping up the present 
organization to the 30th September. A fortunate turn in the war may 
make it safe to very much diminish the force at an early period. But it 
will not, in my judgment, be safe to estimate upon any such contingency. 

The estimated list of the volunteer service will be as follows : 


1st Organization, 

2d Organization. 

Staff, non-commissioned staff, expressmen, guides, &c. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, yours most obedient, 

(Signed,) ‘ ^ ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. Wash. Ter. 


11 



82 


[No. 10.] 


Executive Office, Ter. Wash., 
Olympia, June 8, 1856. 


} 


Hon. Jefferson Davis, 

Secretary of War, Washington City. 

Sir;—I n my last communication, I gave, at length, my views and 
suggestions in regard to the Indian war in this territory, and presented the 
measures of precaution which the present condition of affairs demanded. 

The two expeditions referred to, one over the Cascades into the Yak¬ 
ima country, the other from the Dalles to the Walla Walla, are nearly 
ready for the movements. 

Both expeditions I deem of vital consequence, in view of the present 
condition of things in the interior. 

All the information which I have received, goes to satisfy me that 
unless the most vigorous action is at once taken, all the tribes from the 
Cascades to the Bitter Root will be in the war, a portion of the Nez Per' 
ces alone excepted. 

The long delay of Col. Wright on the Nachess, and his entertaining 
propositions of peace before striking the enemy, in connection with the 
withdrawal of the Oregon Volunteers, has emboldened the Indians, and 
has probably enabled them to effect a general combination of the tribes. 
But no overt act has yet been committed. 

The enclosed copy of a letter from Lieut. Col. Wm. Craig, special 
agent of the Nez Perces, discloses the condition of things in the interior* 
It was written on the 21th May, and reached me on the evening of the 
5th of June, a distance by land, of about 400, and by water, of 150 
miles, or 550 miles in all. 

I shall to-morrow push to the Dalles, and urge the Walla Walla expe¬ 
dition forward with all possible dispatch. I trust it will be in season. The 
troops all reached the Dalles on yesterday, but ifrwas supposed that a por¬ 
tion of the animals which were taken on the emigrant trail from the Wil¬ 
lamette to the Dalles, will be a day or two behind. 

If the troops reach the Walla Walla before an overt act has been 
committed, I am certain that the combination can be broken up, and that 
the Nez Perces and the Indians on and in the neighborhood of the Spo- 
kanes will remain friendly. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient, 

(Signed,) * ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. Wash. Ter. 


[No. 11.] 


Executive Office, Ter. Wash., ) 

Olympia, July 7, 1856. ) 

Hon. Jefferson Davis, 

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.: 

Sir :—The two columns moving from the Sound over the Nachess 
Pass, and from the Dalles up the Columbia, are probably now assembled 
in the Walla Walla valley. They are well mounted, are in a good condi¬ 
tion of discipline, and have one hundred days’ supplies. 

The force from the Sound, under the immediate command of Lieut. 
Col. B. F. Shaw, moved from Camp Montgomery, on Wednesday and 
Thursday, June 11th and 12th, and crossing the mountains with the loss 
of only one animal, camped on the Wenass on the 20th. At that point 
Lieut. Col. Shaw received orders from me to push to the Walla Walla, 
unite his force with that moving from the Dalles, and take command of 
the whole. 

The force from the Dalles moved from the camp five miles beyond 
the Des Chutes river, on Wednesday, June 25th, and was expected to 
reach the Walla Walla on the 4th July. 

Each column numbers nearly two hundred men. The whole force 
consists of 350 enlisted men, and about one hundred quartermaster and 
Indian employees. 

From the Walla Walla, Indian supplies will be pushed to the Nez 
Perces and Spokanes, and an escort will accompany them, should the 
simple presence of a force in the Walla Walla valley be not sufficient to 
insure the safety of the train, protected, as it is expected it will be, by 
Indian auxiliaries. 

Letters have been received from Lieut. Col. Wm. Craig, agent of 
the 1 Nez Perces, of the 29th May, and 8th June, speaking more favorably 
of the condition of things in the interior. 

Kamiaken, at a council held 'with the Spokanes on the 25th May, 
wherein he urged that tribe to join the war, received a negative to his 
proposition. The Spokanes, however, harbor the hostile Cayuses, which has 
caused me to be somewhat apprehensive of the sincerity of their professions. 

I was at the Dalles from Saturday, June 14th, to Monday, June 
30th, getting the expedition off and collecting information in relation to 
the Indians. At that time the hostile bands were much scattered. Some 
three hundred hostiles were at the head of John Day’s river ; a large camp 
of hostiles, supposed to be the Walla Wallas under the son of Peu-pee- 
mox-mox, were at Fort Walla Walla. The Cayuses were on the Spo¬ 
kane. The Clickatats and Yakimas were on the Pischouse river, and 


84 


probably small parties at Priest’s Rapids. The large camp reported by 
Lt. Col. Craig, in his letter of May 21th, and composed of individuals of 
several tribes including the Snakes, I have no information that they have 
moved from the place where they were when Col. Craig wrote. 

There were Snakes with the party at the head of John Day’s river, 
and the force was increasing. 

It is proposed to strike the party at the head of John Day’s river, 
by a force of about 115 men, consisting of 100 volunteers of Oregon, un¬ 
der Major Layton, and 15 volunteers of Washington, under Gapt. Goff. 

The plan was to move from Well Springs on the 30th of June, which 
point is on the emigrant road, some 85 miles from the Dalles. 

Lieut. Col. Shaw, in moving to Walla Walla, will strike the hostiles 
wherever he finds them. 

On occupying the Walla Walla valley, he is also directed to spare 
no exertions to reduce to unconditional submission any hostiles within 
reach. 

This decisive policy is believed by me indispensable to secure the 
permanent peace of the Indian country. 

Very truly and respectfully, your most obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov, Ter. Wash. 


[No. 12.] 

Executive Office, Ter. Wash., ) 

Olympia, July 24, 1856. j 

Hon. Jefferson Davis, 

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.: 

Sir :— I have the honor to report that the volunteer troops that have 
been called into service on the Sound are now being disbanded. 

I propose simply for a limited period to keep on the line of Snoqual- 
mie a small company of about 50 or 60 men, and at the head of the 
Sound at the Yelm and Tenalquot Plains, some forty men. 

It is possible that a small force, say some twenty men, may be re¬ 
quired at Bellingham Bay. 

In consequence of the killing of a Northern Indian at Steilacoom, 
some two weeks since, by some soldiers from the garrison in a drunken 



85 


frolic, the tribe are greatly exasperated, and have threatened to make re¬ 
prisals. In consequence, a small force of 15 men has been sent to Whid- 
by s Island from the line of the Snoqualmie. The naval forces, however, 
are attending vigilantly to the matter, and the two steamers, the Massa¬ 
chusetts and John Hancock, are cruising diligently. 

The trouble, it is hoped, will be soon allayed. Lieut. Col. Casey is 
using every exertion to bring to justice the soldiers who committed the 
offense. 

The volunteer forces east of the mountains met on Mill creek, in the 
Walla Walla valley, on the 8th inst. The Nez Perces are entirely 
friendly, and it is believed the Spokanes will also continue friendly. 

Truly and respectfully, 

(Signed,] ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. Ter. Wash. 


[No. 13.] 


Vancouver, W. T., Aug. 14, 1856. 

Hon. Jefferson Davis, 

Secretary of War, Washington City, D. C.: 

Sir :—In my last communication relating to the Indian war in this 
territory, I dwelt upon the proposed Walla Walla expedition as abso¬ 
lutely indispensable to preserve the peace of the Indian tribes of the in¬ 
terior, and I expressed the opinion that the indecision and procrastinating 
course pursuing and pursued in the Yakima country, had brought, or 
nearly brought about a general combination of the tribes eastward. That 
combination I hoped to break up. 

The Walla Walla expedition has been completely successful. Col. 
Shaw was on Mill creek, Walla Walla, on the 8th of July, with all his 
command, except a force of 75 men under Capt. Goff, who, in conjunc¬ 
tion with Maj. Layton, of the Oregon volunteers, had ascended John 
Day’s river, and were then actively in pursuit of the enemy. On Mill 
creek were assembled on that day 190 men, who crossed the Cascades 
over the Nachess under the immediate orders of Lt. Col. Shaw ; 100 
men from the command of Goff, who escorted the wagon and pack train 
from the Dalles, and the Nez Perces auxiliaries, 60 strong, under the com¬ 
mand of the chief, the Spotted Eagle, and accompanied by the agent, 
Lt. Col. Wm. Craig. 



86 


Supplies were immediately sent forward to the Nez Perces country, 
special agent Robie taking there 100 pack animals without an escort. 

Col. Shaw learning there was a large force of hostiles in the Grand 
Ronde, determined to attack them. Moving in the night of the 14th, he 
struck them on the 17 th, and after a running fight of some 15 miles, he 
entirely defeated them, capturing a large number of their animals, des¬ 
troyed nearly all their provisions, and also got possession of about one 
hundred pounds of ammunition. 

This gallant fight of Shaw has broken up the combination, for, on 
his return to Mill creek, he found there special agent Robie, who had 
almost been driven out of the Nez Perces country. He brought back 
the words of the chiefs ordering white men out of the country, &c. Ro¬ 
bie, on his return from the Nez Perces, marched one hundred miles with¬ 
out halting. 

Lieut. Col. Shaw immediately sent the Nez Perce Chief, “Capt. John,” 
to the Nez Perces with this message: “I am your friend. I have not 
come to fight you, but the hostiles. But if you beat your drums for war, 
I will parade my men for battle. ” 

On the arrival of Capt. “John,” the Nez Perces had heard of Col. 
Shaw’s defeat of the Indians in the Grand Ronde, and they immediately 
sent back the most friendly messages. 

Thus has the vigorous movements of the volunteers of Washington, 
under Lieut. Col. Shaw, secured the fealty of the Nez Perces, and pre¬ 
vented a general combination of the interior tribes. 

I enclose Lt. Col. Shaw’s report of his engagement with the Indians 
at the Grand Ronde, and also a copy of his letter stating the message 
he sent to the Nez Perces by “Capt. John.” Also the records of three 
councils held with the Nez Perces, one by Lt. Col. Shaw on his arrival 
at Mill creek ; one in the Nez Perce country by Capt. Robie ; and one 
by Lt. Col. Craig when they received Shaw’s message through ‘ Capt. John.’ 

On an interview held yesterday with Col. Wright, I learn that he 
designs sending forward a force of four companies to occupy the Walla 
Walla under the command of Lt. Col. Steptoe. I shall accordingly raise 
no more troops. The terms of service of those under Col. Shaw will ex¬ 
pire on the 8th of September. On being relieved by the command under 
Col. Steptoe, they will be withdrawn and mustered out of service. 

All the troops on the Sound have been mustered out of service. 

I push forward in person to Walla Walla to-morrow to meet the In¬ 
dians, and establish relations of friendship with the tribes generally, and 
.•especially those struck by Lieut. Col. Shaw. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your most ob’t servant, 

fSigned,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. Ter. Wash. 


87 


[No. 14.] 


Executive Office, Olympia, W. T., 
October 22d, 1856. 


Hon. Jefferson Davis, 

Secretary of War, Washington D. C.: 

Sir : — In my report of the 14th August, informing you of the suc¬ 
cessful operations of the volunteers under Lt. Col. Shaw, and my having 
determined to raise no more troops, in consequence of four companies of 
regulars under Lt. Col. Steptoe being about to be sent to the Walla 
Walla, I expressed the opinion that the Nez Perces would probably con¬ 
tinue friendly, and advised you that I should push forward to the Walla 
Walla to meet the tribes in council. 

In this connection, I will refer you to Shaw’s report of the victory 
of the Grand Ronde—his message to the Nez Perces on learning they 
had given evidence of hostility, and the records of three several councils 
held with the Nez Perces by Lt. Col. Shaw, Capt. Robie, and Lieut. Col 
Craig, respectively, all going to'establish the fact that the Nez Perces, 
much disaffected previously, preferred friendship on meeting the volun¬ 
teers on Mill creek—exhibited hostility when Capt. Robie was in their 
country, and again sent friendly messages on learning the decisive blow 
struck at the Grand Ronde. 

It was in view of the proceedings at the first council held with the 
Nez Perces by Shaw on Mill creek, that I expressed the opinion in my 
letter of the 24th July, that they were friendly, and of the effect of a 
decisive victory, in connection with their expressions at the third council 
in reply to Shaw’s message, that I believed that friendship had been con¬ 
firmed, and the general combination broken up, as reported in my commu¬ 
nication of Aug. 14th. 

I appointed the council when I had just learned of the battle of 
the Grand Ronde, and of Capt. Robie having been almost driven out of 
the Nez Perces country. 

On reaching the Walla Walla valley, to which point trains, with In¬ 
dian and army supplies were on their way under Capt. Robie, I made the 
necessary arrangements for sending home the volunteers to be mustered 
out of service on the arrival in the valley of the regular troops under 
Lieut. Col. Steptoe. 

On the 29th July, one of my pack trains, mostly la<Jen with Indian 
supplies, was captured by the Indians, a most unfortunate occurrence, as 
thereby much of the prestige of the Grand Ronde was lost. 

Lieut, Col. Steptoe’s force was encamped in the valley on the 5th 
September, some five miles below the council ground. 


88 


Capt. Robie, with the remaining pack train and a large wagon train 
of Indian supplies, reached the valley on the 1th September, and on the 
three following days, the Nez Perces and all the hostile bands, except the 
Yakima, reached the valley and encamped near me. 

On the evening of the 10th, the Indians being all in except the Ya- 
kimas, and none friendly except a portion of the Nez Perces, and orders 
having been given to all the volunteers to go home the next day, I made 
a requisition upon Lieut. Col. Steptoe for two companies of his troops and 
his mountain howitzers, and to my surprise, learned from his answer, that 
he had moved his camp to a point on Mill creek, some seven or eight 
miles above my camp, and that his orders from Gen. Wool did not allow 
him to comply with my requisition. 

I say to my surprise, for in my interview with Col. Wright at Van¬ 
couver, referred to in my report of the 14th August, I understood, as I 
went to the interior in my capacity simply of superintendent of Indian 
affairs, that in effecting the objects of the council, I was to have the co¬ 
operation of the military force he was about to send there—a co-operation 
which the good of the service most urgently demanded. I had already 
raised nearly two hundred six months’ men to strengthen the command of 
Lieut. Col. Shaw, under a proclamation issued immediately after the re¬ 
ceipt of the battle of the Grand Ronde, and I had four months’ supplies 
to subsist them. This proclamation was revoked on my arrival at Van¬ 
couver, and the troops raised under it disbanded. In interviews held af¬ 
terwards with Col. Wright at the Dalles, I dwelt upon the objects to be 
gained by the council—referred to the effect of the presence of his troops 
there, and left with the belief that it was an arranged and agreed on thing 
between the Colonel and myself, that I was to have the countenance 
and support of the regular force in the Walla Walla to carry into effect 
the beneficent designs of the council. Col. Wright stated that other du¬ 
ties would prevent his accompanying me—that he had entire confidence 
in Lieut. Col. Steptoe, the officer in command, and his presence would be 
unnecessary. Accordingly, previous to Lt. Col. Steptoe reaching the 
valley, I sent him two letters, each urging him to camp near me, my object 
being to show the Indians the strength of our people, and the unity of 
our councils ; and I also wrote Capt. D. Russell, on his way from the Y a- 
kima with three companies, to the same effect. On the arrival of Lieut. 
Col. Steptoe in the valley, I urged him personally to camp near me. 

The requisition was refused, and I was therefore obliged to counter¬ 
mand the order sending home the volunteers whose terms of enlistm ent 
had all cxpiied, and of which only Goff’s company, 69 rank and file, re¬ 
mained, a portion of whom, too, were on their way down, and had to be 
alle d back. This force only remained to guard my camp. 


Tho counoil opened on the 11th, and continued on the 12th and 13th, 
when so alarming was the condition of affairs, that I deemed it my duty, 
on the morning of the 13th, to address .a confidential note to Steptoe, 
advising him that one half of the Nez Perces were unquestionably hos¬ 
tile—that all the other tribes were hostile, with a very few exceptions, 
and that a company of his troops was essential to the security of m'y 
camp, and at his suggestion, I moved my party, train and supplies, with 
Goff’s company of volunteers, to the vicinity of his camp, 

I met Kamiakan and his followers on my way there, and it is prob¬ 
ably owing to no one being advised of my intention to move till the order 
was given an hour before I started that I was not attacked on the road. 
Kamiakan had unquestionably an understanding, as subsequent events 
showed, with all the Indians except the friendly Nez Perces, (about one 
half the nation) and a-small number of friendly Indians of the other 
tribes, to make an attack that day or evening upon my camp. He found 
me on the road to his great surprise, and had no time to perfect his ar¬ 
rangements. I had learned in the night that Kamiakan had encamped 
on the Touehet the night before, and that he would be in this day. 

The council re-opened on the 16th : all the Indians were camped 
near. Kamiakan and his band being only separated from the council 
ground by the narrow skirt of woods in the bottom of mill creek, and 
was closed the next day, all my efforts, both to'make an arrangement with 
the hostile^, and to do away with the disaffection-of the Nez Perces hav¬ 
ing proved abortive. 

On the I8th, at a separate council with the Xcz Perces, all, both 
hostile and friendly Nez Perces, advised the sub-agent, Wra. Craig, not 
to return to the Nez Perce country, as his life would be in danger, and 
they were afraid he would be killed. 

At the conclusion of this council, in a brief address to the Indians, 
I expressed my regrets that I had failed in my mission—that no one said 
“yes,” to my propositions, and I now had only to say, “follow your own 
hearts : those who wish to go into 1 war, go.” 

My propositions were unconditional submission to the justice and 
mercy of the government, and the rendition for trial of murderers. 

In the afternoon Lieut. Col. Steptoe informed these Indians that he 
came there to establish a post, not to fight them, and trusted they should 
get along as friends, and appointed the next day a little after noon,, for a 
special conference. 

The Indians did not, however, come to see Steptoe at the time ap¬ 
pointed. They previously set fire to his grass, and following me as I set 
out about eleven o’clock, on my way to the Halles, they attacked me 
12 


90 


within three miles of Steptoe’s camp at about one o’clock in the after¬ 
noon. 

So satisfied was I that the Indians would carry into effect their 
avowed determination in the councils in their own camps for several 
nights previously to attack me, that, in starting, I formed my whole party, 
and moved in order of battle. 

I moved on under fire one mile to water, when, forming a corral of 
the wagons, and holding the adjacent hills and the brush on the stream 
by pickets, I made my arrangements to defend my position and fight the 
Indians. Our position in a low, open basin, some 500 or 600 yards 
across, was good, and with the aid of our corral, we could defend our¬ 
selves against a vastly superior force of the enemy. 

The fight continued till late in the night. Two charges were made 
to disperse the Indians, the last led by Lieut. Col. Shaw in person, with 
twenty-four men, but, whilst driving before him some one hundred and 
fifty Indians, an equal number pushed into his rear, and he was compelled 
to cut his way through them towards camp, when, drawing up his men, 
and, aided by the teamsters and pickets, who gallantly sprang forward, 
he drove the Indians back in full charge upon the corral. 

Just before the charge, the friendly Nez Perces, fifty in number, who 
had been assigned to holding the ridge on the south side of the corral, 
were told by the enemy “they came not to fight the Kez Perces, but the 
whites, go to your camp, or we wipe it out.” Their camp with the wo¬ 
men and children, was on a stream about a mile distant—upon which I 
directed the JS T ez Perces to retire, as I did not require their assistance,, 
and I was fearful that my men might not be able to distinguish them from 
the hostiles, and thus friendly Indians might be killed. 

Towards night I notified Lt. Col. Steptoe that I was fighting the 
Indians: that I should move the next morning, and expressed the opinion 
that a company of his troops w T ould be of service. In his reply he stated 
that the Indians had burnt up his grass, and suggested that I should re¬ 
turn to his camp, and place at his disposal my wagons, in order that he 
might move his whole command and bis supplies to the Umatilla, or some 
other point, where sustenance could be found for his animals. To this 
arrangement I assented, and Lt. Col. Steptoe sent to my camp Lt. Da¬ 
vidson, with detachments from the companies of dragoons and artillery 
with a mountain howitzer, iliey reached my camp about two o’clock in 
the morning, every thing in good order, and most of the men at the 
corral asleep.. A picket had been driven in an hour and a half before 
by the enemy : that on the hill south of the corral, but the enemy was 
immediately dislodged, and all the points were held, and ground pits be 
ing dug. 


91 


The howitzer having been fired on the way out, it was believed noth¬ 
ing would be gained by waiting till morning, and the whole force imme¬ 
diately returned to Lt. Col. Steptoe’s camp. 

Soon after sunrise, the enemy attacked the camp, but were soon dis¬ 
lodged by the howitzer and a charge by a detachment from Steptoe’s 
command. 

On my arrival at the camp, I urged Lt. Col. Steptoe to build a 
blockhouse immediately—to leave one company to defend it with all his 
supplies, then to march below, and return with an additional force and 
additional supplies, and by a vigorous winter campaign, to whip the Indi¬ 
ans into submission. I placed at his disposal for the building, my teams 
and Indian employees. 

The blockhouse and stockade were built in a little more than ten 
days. My Indian store room was re-built at one corner of the stockade. 

On the 23d Sept., we started for the Dalles, which we reached on 
the 2d October. Nothing of interest occurred on the road. 

In the action of the 19th, my whole force consisted of Goffs com¬ 
pany of sixty-nine rank and file, and the teamsters, herders and Indian 
employees, numbering about fifty men. Our train consisted of about five 
hundred animals, not one of which was captured by the enemy. We 
fought four hundred and fifty Indians, and had one man mortally, one 
dangerously, and two slightly wounded. We killed and wounded, thir¬ 
teen Indians. 

One half the Nez Perces, one hundred and twenty warriors, all of 
the Yakimas and Palouses, two hundred warriors ; the great bulk of the 

Cay uses and Umatillas, -warriors; -of the Walla Wallas and 

Indians from other bands were in the fight. The principal war chiefs 
were the son of Ouhi, and Isle de Pere chief, Quiltomee ; the latter of 
whom had two horses shot under him, and who showed me a letter from 
Col. Wright, acknowledging his valuable services in bringing about the 
peace of the Yakimas. 

I have failed, therefore, in making the desired arrangements with the 
Indians in the Walla Walla, and the failure, to be attributed in part to 
the want of co-operation with me as Superintendent of Indian Affairs, on 
the part of the regular troops, has its causes also in the whole plan of 
operations of the troops since Col. Wright assumed command. 

The Nez Perces, entirely friendly last December and January, be¬ 
came first disaffected in consequence of the then chief of the Cay uses, 
Ume-howlish, and the friendly Cayuses going into the Nez Perce country, 
contrary to my positive orders. I refused to allow them to go there in 
December last, saying to them : “I have ordered the Nez Perces to keep 
hostiles out of their country. If you go there, your friends in the war 




92 


party will come, they cannot be kept out. Through them disaffection 
will'spread among a portion-of t%e^ez PeM?s.” Ume-howlish, my 
■'prisoner, was sent into the Nez Perce country by Col. Wright,'and from 
the time of his arrival there, all the efforts made by the agent, Craig, to 
prevent the spread of disaffection, were abortive. What I apprehended 
and predicted already came to pass, 

The Looking Glass', the prominent man of the lower Nez Perces, 
endeavored to betray me on the Spokane as I was coming in from the 
Blackfoot council, and I was satisfied from' that time that he was only 
awaiting a favorable moment to join bands , with Kamiakan in a war 
upon the whites. * ' 

Col. Wright’s management of affairs in the Yakima furnished the 
opportunity. The war commenced m the Yakima on our part in conse¬ 
quence of the attempt first to seize the ■ murderers of the agent, Bolon, 
and the miners who had passed through, their country; and, second, to 
punish the tribe for making common’cause with them and driving Major 
Haller out of the country. It is greatly to be deplored that Col. Wright 
had not first severely chastised the Indians, and insisted upon not only 
the rendition of the murderers, but upon the 'absolute and unconditional 
submission of the whole tribe to the justice and mercy of the govern¬ 
ment. 

The long delays which occurred in the Yakima, the talking and not 
fighting, this attempt to pacify Indians and not reducing them to submis¬ 
sion, thus giving 'safe conduct to murderers and assassins, and not seizing 
them for summary and exemplary punishment, gave to Kamiakan the 
wdiOle field of the interior, and by threats, lies and promises, he has 
brought into the combination one half of the Nez Perces nation, and 
the least thing may cause the Spokanes, Coeur d’Alenes, Colvilles and 
Okinikanes to join them. 

I state boldly, that the cause of the Nez Perces becoming disaffected 
and finally going into the war, is the operations of Col. Wright east of 
the Cascades—operations, so feeble, so procrastinating, so entirely unequal 
to the emergency, that not only has a most severe blow been struck at 
the credit of the government and the prosperity and character of this 
remote section of Country, but the'impression has been made upon the 
Indians that the people and the soldiers were a different people. 1 repeat 
to you officially, that when the Indians attacked me, they expected Col. 
Steptoe would not assist me, and When they awoke from their delusion, 
Kamiakan said, “ I will now let these people know vfho Kamiakan is. w 
One oi the good effects of the fight-is, that the Indians have learned that 
we are one people, a fact which had not previously been made apparent 
to them by the operations of the regular troops. 


93 


Is, sir, the army sent here to protect our people, and to punish In¬ 
dian tribes who, without cause, and in cold blood, and in spite of solemn 
treaties, murder our people, burn our houses and wipe out entire settle¬ 
ments? 

Is it the duty of Gen. Wool and his officers to refuse to co-operate 
with me in my appropriate duties as Superintendent of Indian Affairs, 
and thus practically to assume these duties to themselves? 

Is it the duty of Gen. Wool, in his schemes of pacifying the Indians, 
to trample down the laws of congress—to issue edicts prohibiting settlers 
returning.to their claims, and thus, for at least one county, the Walla 
Walla, make himself dictator of the country? 

Or, is it simply in consequence of his ignorance of the laws of con¬ 
gress, and the peculiar circumstances under which these territories have 
grown up, that he has undertaken to say to a people of a whole county, 
the Walla Walla having its representative in the legislature, “the Indians 
drove you away, you shall not go back?” I beg leave, herewith to en¬ 
close a copy of a communication on this subject, which I havj this day 
addressed to the department of the Interior. 

I will respectfully call your attention to my report of this date to 
the commissioner of Indian Affairs giving an elaborate account of Indian 
operations east of the Cascade mountains, including the proceedings at 
the Walla Walla council, and I will conclude this communication by the 
following extracts, from it: 

“In this connection it is my duty to report to the Department the 
admirable conduct of the volunteers and the Indian employees, not only 
during the council, but in all the operations east of the Cascade mount¬ 
ains. There was not a single instance of injury either to the person or 
property of a friendly Indian, or of injury to the property or person of 
the hostiles during the council. 

“The kindness and forbearance of officers and men, agents and em¬ 
ployees, even when treated with rudeness by the hostiles, was extraor¬ 
dinary. The strayed cattle and horses of the Indians were herded and 
returned to them. The volunteers were well supplied, and were not 
tempted to plunder for assistance. I have the permission of Lt. Col. 
Steptoe to refer to him and his officers as witnesses of what I have stated, 
and have the assurance from Lt. Col Steptoe that he had so reported it 

“Whilst it is my duty to acknowledge in'the warmest terms the 
assistance Tendered me by Lt. Col. Steptoe, when I was actually'attacked, 
to Col. Wright, and of Col. Wright that he had forwarded the report 
to Gen. Wool.” I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient, 
(Signed,)’ ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. Washington Territory. 


94 


[No. 15.] 


Executive Office, Ter. Washington, 
Olympia, Nov. 21st., 1856. 


Hon. Jefferson Davis, 

Secret? ry of War, Washington, D. C.: 

Sir :—Referring to my communication of the 22d October, giving 
the particulars of the council held by me at the Walla Walla, the previ¬ 
ous month, and my views in reference to the operations of the regular 
troops under Col. Wright, I have now to report that I learn from reliable 
authority, though not from Col. Wright himself, that, in his recent trip 
to Walla Walla, he met the Nez Perces chief who attacked my party, 
and effected another quasi peace by surrendering to their demands. My 
informant states that “some chiefs, Eagle from the Light, Red Wolf, &c., 
met Col. Wright in a “talk” the other day. The Colonel took the ground 
which I urged you to take,—that the treaty of Walla Walla ought not 
to be insisted upon.” 

Now the Red Wolf and Eagle from the Light belonged to the hos¬ 
tile party. Red Wolf’s people were in the attack upon me after the ad¬ 
journment of the council. The Eagle from the Light, though hostile, 
brought none of his people to the council ground. 

It would seem that, to get the consent of Col. Wright to take the 
ground that a treaty should not be insisted upon, it was simply necessary 
for the malcontents to attack the Superintendent of Indian Affairs and 
his party. Now one half of the Nez Perces nation, including the head 
chief, Lawyer, wish the treaty to be carried out. They have suffered 
much from their steadfast adherence to it. Are their wishes to be disre¬ 
garded? 

It seems to me that we have, in this territory, fallen upon evil times. 
I hope and trust some energetic action may be taken to stop this trifling 
with great public interests, and to make our flag respected by the Indians 
of the Interior. They scorn our people and our flag. They feel they 
can kill and plunder with impunity. They denominate us a nation of old 
women. They did not do this when the volunteers were in the field. 

I now make the direct issue with Col. Wright,—that he has made a 
concession to the Indians which he had no authority to make—that, by 
so doing, he has done nothing but to get the semblance of a peace, and 
that by his acts he has, in a measure, weakened the influence of the ser¬ 
vice having the authority to make treaties, and having charge of the 
friendly Indians. He has, in my judgment, abandoned his own duty, 


96 


which was to reduce the Indians to submission, and has trenched upon, 
and usurped a portion of mine. 

Very respectfully, 

Your most obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor Territory Washington 


[No. 16.] 


Executive Office, W. T., 

Olympia, Nov. 21, 1856. 


Hon. Jefferson Davis, 

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.: 

Sir :—I have the honor to report for the information of the depart¬ 
ment that the sales of property remaining on hand at the disbandment of 
the volunteer forces of this territory have been made, and have resulted 
in the cancelling of about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars of scrip. 
The sales in the aggregate exceeded the original cost, particularly as re¬ 
gards animals, which it has been alleged have been purchased at extrava¬ 
gant rates. I trust that hereafter, in view of the fact that our transpor¬ 
tation has cost us nothing—that our people have let their animals go into 
the service from three to nine months and have taken them back at a 
premium, the enemies of the territory will be more guarded in their speech. 

All the papers have been kept with regularity, both as regards the 
service of, and issued to volunteers, and purchases and sales by the quar¬ 
termaster’s department. 

Our whole scrip will not exceed nine hundred and fifty thousand 
dollars, which, deducting the cancelled scrfp, will leave not exceeding 
eight hundred thousand dollars to be redeemed. 

But some seventy or eighty thousand of this will be charged upon 
the muster rolls, reducing the scrip that amount, and the estimates for 
the pay of the volunteers. 

I indulge the hope congress will, at this session, authorize the pay¬ 
ment of the war debt of both territories. The people deserve well of 
the nation. They have protected their families and vindicated the honor 
of the American flag. 



96 


The war has been especially disastrous to this territory, and the peo¬ 
ple need prompt payment of their claims. 

Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. Wash. Ter. 


* 


[No. n.] 


Executive Office, Ter. Wash., 

Olympia, Nov. 21, 1856. 


Hon. Jefferson Davis, 

Secretary of War, Washington City : 

Sir :—As a part of the history of Indian relations in this territory 
the past two years, I enclose a copy of a letter which, learning that Gen. 
Wool had just arrived at Vancouver, I addressed him on the 22d day of 
May, 1855, the second day after my arrival at Walla Walla last year, 
and some six days before going into the council which resulted in 
treaties of cession from the Nez Perces, Yakimas, Cayuses, Walla Wal¬ 
las and Umatillas. 

Gen. Wool, however, returned to San Francisco, where my letter 
reached him, and I passed to the sources of the Missouri. I have never 
received any answer to my letter. 

I had previously in a letter to you, dwelt upon the importance of 
the occupation of the Walla Walla. 

I have the honor to remain, 

Very respectfully, your most obedient, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Sup. Ind. Affairs. 





97 


[No. 18.] 

Executive Office, Ter. Washington, ) 
Olympia, Feb. 17, 1856. ) 

His Excellency, G. L. Curry, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief: 

Sir :—I have appointed Col. B. F. Shaw, with whom yon are ac¬ 
quainted, assistant adjutant general for this territory. 

He has been instructed to organize at Vancouver a force of two 
hundred mounted volunteers, who will be pushed into the Walla Walla 
with all possible dispatch, there to establish a depot, leaving a small force 
to guard it, and then push forward to the Yakima Mission, taking with 
them a large supply of provisions and ammunition. At that point they 
can establish a post of considerable strength, and be in position to act 
efficiently against any Indians in that valley. 

Our captains who are recruiting in the vicinity of Vancouver will no 
doubt wish to pass into Oregon, and I trust that the hearty co-operation 
and friendly feeling which has existed between the citizens of the two ter¬ 
ritories will continue, and that they may receive any required aid. I feel 
sure that there will be cordial co-operation. 

With sentiments of the highest respect, 

Very truly yours, 

(Signed,; ’ ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


Note.— Letters of similar import to the foregoing letter to Governor 
Curry, were at the same time addressed to the staff officers of Oregon—• 
the adjutant, quartermaster and commissary generals, which were res¬ 
ponded to, as in the following letter from the commissary general. 


[No. 19.] 

Commissary General’s Office, Commissary’s DeFt, ) 
Portland, Feb. 20th, 1856. f 

His Excellency, Isaac I. Stevens, 

Governor Washington Territory: 

Dear Sir :—I received yours of the 17th February, ’56, informing 
me of the appointment of Col. B. F. Shaw, as assistant adjutant general 
13 




98 


of Washington Territory, and your desire to have me co-operate with 
your efforts to procure supplies, transportation, &c., &c., in Oregon ; and 
also your wish to push your forces as speedily as possible to the Walla 
Walla and the Yakima vallies. It will give me great pleasure to render 
what assistance is in my power, to you or any officer under your directions, 
to further your very laudable object, and I will confer with Gen. Shaw 
upon the subject, without delay. 

I am, &c., 

fSigned,) M. M. McCARVER, 

Com. Gen’l O. M. V. 


[No. 20.] 

Territory of Oregon, Executive Office, ) 
Salem, March 27th, 1856. j 

His Excellency, I. I. Stevens, 

Governor W. T., Olympia : 

Dear Governor :—I have authorized Mr. Bradbury, who starts to¬ 
day from this place for San Francisco, to call upon your Quartermaster’s 
Department at Portland, and in connection with such supplies as he pur¬ 
chased for us at that place, to do likewise for Washington Territory, as 
might be more fully indicated and specified by the officer upon whom I 
desired him to call at Portland. 

* * * * * * * * * 
Yours always sincerely, 

(Signed,) GEO. L. CURRY, 

Gov. &c., &c. 


[No. 21.] 

Territory of Oregon, Executive Office, > 

Salem, March 29th, 1856. j 

His Excellency, Isaac I. Stevens, 

Gov. Washington Territory, Olympia: 
Dear Governor : —I arrived here this morning, prepared to act as 
intelligence from the Cascades would appear to demand. I found that 




99 


my aids, Col. Dennison and Stark, had taken very prompt and judicious 
action in the premises. Col. Dennison, with the volunteers who went up 
for the purpose of relieving the blockhouse, and re-establishing the com¬ 
munication, which, through some great military mistake, the officer in 
command of the regulars had made no provision to maintain, at a point 
so important as the Cascades, too, having rendered important assistance 
in achieving the object of the expedition, returned this afternoon. 

I enclose you a list of the killed and wounded and missing. Col. 
Dennison’s force was augmented to double its members, by citizens of 
your territory, making the force some forty-five men. 

******** 
Yours always sincerely, 

(Signed,) * GEO. L. CURRY, 

Governor, Sec., Sec. 


(No. 22.] 


Executive Office, Ter. Wash., ) 

Olympia, April 2d, 1856. j 


His Excellency, Geo. L. Curry, 

Governor of Oregon: 

My Dear Sir :— I am much obliged for the information contained 
in your two letters of the 27th and 29th of March, and especially for 
your active exertions in helping the cause of the suffering inhabitants of 
W ashington. 

I hope Oregon will never require, by the breaking out of war among 
her Indians hereafter, a requital of those services. Rut Washington will 
never forget the aid she has received from Oregon, nor will she fail to 
remember, and if unhappily necessary, requite them hereafter. 

Your thoughtfulness in thinking of us when you sent to San Fran¬ 
cisco, deserves my especial thanks. 

* * * * I shall use every exertion to raise more 

troops for the defense of our people from the Cowlitz to the Cascades, 
and with the view of being prepared at all quarters for any attack by the 
Indians upon the settlements. 

*********** 
Very truely, your friend, 

f Signed,) * ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. Ter. Wash. 



4 



100 


. [No. 23.] 


Executive Office, Ter. Wash., ) 
Olympia, Nov. 1st., 1856. ) 


Hon. James Douglass, 

H. B. M. Governor:— 

Sir :—It having been made apparent to us that the Indians inhab¬ 
iting both sides of the Cascades have a determined combination among 
their various tribes to make war upon us, and as they have been suffi¬ 
ciently bold to attack us within a short distance of our settlements, I 
deem it proper as we are in great need of arms and ammunition, to re¬ 
quest from you, sir, what assistance is in your power to afford. 

Your known courtesy to Americans generally, and the feeling our 
people know you entertain towards us, leads me to make this request with 
the less hesitation. I do it also that it may be made apparent to the sav¬ 
ages upon the Sound that the affinities of blood and interest existing be¬ 
tween our nations, are always sufficiently strong to bring forth from the 
one to the other, support when threatened with danger. 

If it could be done without serious injury to the affairs of your Hon. 
H. B. Co., I would deem it an additional service that the arms should 
be sent here by one of your steamers, as you are aware our settlements 
are so isolated, the presence of steamers such as yours, may deter attacks 
which I have reason to think may be made upon one or more of them in 
a few days. 

The presence of a steamer in this part of the Sound will be of great 
advantage. 

The Active and Massachusetts are expected in the Sound in a few 
days, and the arrival of one of these vessels will relieve us from trespass¬ 
ing further upon your kindness. 

Such services as you may render, sir, will, I beg to assure you, be 
most warmly appreciated by the government of the United States, as 
well as the inhabitants of this territory. 

With assurances of my highest respect, 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

Your most ob’t servant, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adj’t Gen. W. T. 


f Signed J 


101 


[No. 24.] 

Victoria, Vancouver’s Island, ) 

November 6th, 1855. ) 

Hon. JAmes Tilton, 

Adj’t Gen. W. T. V., Washington Territory :— 

Sir :— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from 
you, dated, “Olympia, November 1st,” representing the danger to which 
the settlements on Puget Sound were exposed from the inroads of sav¬ 
ages, and soliciting aid in arms and munitions for the purpose of defend¬ 
ing the country, and repelling the threatened invasion of the Indian tribes. 

I most cordially acknowledge the moral obligation which binds 
Christian and civilized nations to exert their utmost power and influence 
in checking the inroads of the merciless savage, and it is a cause of sin¬ 
cere regret on my part that our means of rendering you assistance comes 
infinitely short of our wishes. 

We are, I confess with sorrow, badly prepared for the exigencies of 
a state of warfare—there being, at this moment, only one hundred stand 
of arms in this colony, and those are in the stores of the Hudson’s Bay 
Company. 

I have made a purchase of fifty of those (all that can be spared) for 
your service, and now forward them by Captain Hunt, under consignment 
to Dr. Tolmie, who will arrange with you about their delivery. I have 
also secured ten barrels of gun powder and a supply of ball, a part of 
which will also be now forwarded by the steamer, “Traveller.” 

Her Majesty’s ship, “President,” sailed about a week ago, from this 
colony, for the port of San Francisco, or I might have procured efficient 
aid from her commander. 

The Hudson’s Bay Company’s steam vessels are also both absent at 
this time, or I would instantly have despatched one of them to Nisqually, 
not of course in the character of a belligerent, but with orders to aid 
and assist in protecting your settlements against the attacks of savages. 

We are hourly expecting the arrival of the steam vessel Beaver, and 
it is my intention to send her on to Nisqually with as little delay as pos¬ 
sible at this place, and by that conveyance, I will cause the remainder of 
the ammunition, -which the steamer Traveller cannot take, to be forwarded. 

The moral effect of the steamer" Beaver’s” visit to the Sound, 
will be powerfully, felt by the native Indian tribes, and may contribute in 
some measure, to confirm their wavering loyalty, and to detach them from 
the general Indian confederacy. 

I trust in God, that such may be the event, and have again to ex- 


102 


press my deep regret, that we have not a more efficient force to send to 
your relief. 

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) JAMES DOUGLASS, 

Governor V. Islands. 


[No. 25.] 


Government House, Victoria, V. I., 
19th November, 1855. 


Major James Tilton, 

Or officer administering the government of Washington Territory:— 

Sm :—The Honorable Hudson’s Bay Company’s steamer, “ Otter, ” 
having arrived at this fort, and discharged part of her cargo, I have de¬ 
cided on despatching her for the sake of greater expedition, with the 
remnant of her cargo on board, to Nisqually, and to proceed, should it 
be of advantage to your cause, as far as Olympia, with the supply of am¬ 
munition promised in my letter to you of the 6th inst. Her presence in 
the Sound will, I trust, convince the native tribes that our warmest sym¬ 
pathies are enlisted in your favor, and that they have to expect neither 
countenance nor support from Her Majesty’s authorities in this quarter. 

I much regret that it is not in my power to afford you more efficient 
assistance, and that the unprotected state of our own settlements, renders 
it peculiarly unadvisable to dispense with the services of the “ Otter” for 
more than a few days. The natives in this quarter continue quiet and 
friendly, though evidently powerfully moved in favor of their race, a feel¬ 
ing which may exercise a mischievous influence on their excitable minds, 
while it constrains us to maintain a vigilant control over tl clr movements. 

I have no fears as to the result of the struggle at Nisqually. If the 
Indians leave their fastnesses, and venture to meet your forces in the open 
country, they will soon be made to yield the palm of victory, and in any 
case, destitute as they are of resources, they cannot protract the war be¬ 
yond a very few months. 

Begging to refer you for further information to Captain Hunt, to 
whom I have fully explained my views, 

I have the honor to be, sir, 

Your obedient humble servant, 

(Signed,) JAMES DOUGLASS, 

Governor Vancouver’s Island- 



103 


[No. 26.] 

Executive Office, Washington* Territory, ) 

Olympia, Nov. 23, 1855. ) 

His Excellency, James Douglass, 

Governor Vancouver’s Island :— 

Sir :—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of 
the 19th inst., with the additional supply of ammunition. 

The steamer “ Otter” arrived here on the evening of the 21st inst. 

I fully concur with you as to the influence her presence here will have 
upon the tribes within our waters, who may be considered as wavering. 
The results, however, which have been accomplished by our troops since 
application was first made to you, have, I think, been sufficient to prevent 
at least for the present, any hostile movement on their part. 

The present emergency is not such as to render the presence of the 
“Otter” here indispensable, otherwise I should avail myself of any as¬ 
sistance she might be able to render. I am daily expecting the arrival of 
a steamer at Steilacoom, with additional forces and munitions of war, 
which must of themselves have an intimidating effect upon the Indians 
on the Sound. 

Permit me again to tender to you my acknowledgments of your cor¬ 
dial co-operation in the present excited state of affairs. 

I have the honor to be, sir, 

Very respectfully, your ob’t serv’t, 

(Signed,) C. H. MASON,- 

Acting Governor Washington Territory. 


[No. 27.] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, October 14th, 1855. 


Capt. I. S. Sterett, 

Commanding U. S. Ship, Decatur:— 

Sir : —The recent difficulties with the Yakima Indians have taken 
so serious a turn, that it has become necessary for the executive of the 
territory to call forth two companies of volunteers to co-operate with the 
regular troops, already in, and about to be sent into the field. 

In this emergency, owing to the scarcity of ammunition, arms, and 



104 


accoutrements in the territory, I have to request that you will forward to 
me at Olympia, such an amount of the above named munitions of war, 
suitable for light Infantry or mounted men, as you can spare without det¬ 
riment to the safety or discipline of your ship. 

Surveyor General Tilton, who takes this to you, will confer with 
you relative to what has been done, and what is proposed in view of the 
present Indian difficulties ; and I hereby authorize him to receipt any pa¬ 
pers in my name relative to arms, ammunition, supplies, &c. 

I am sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

C. H. MASON, 

Acting Governor Washington Territory. 

[No. 28.] October 14th. Letter of same import sent to Capt. W. 
C. Pease, Commanding Revenue Cutter “Jeff. Davis.” 


[No. 29.] 

U. S. Sloop of War, Decatur, ) 

Seattle, W. T., Oct. 15th, 1855. ) 

Acting Governor, C. H. Mason:— 

Sir : —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 
the 14th inst., delivered by Surveyor General Tilton. 

Agreeably to your request, I forward to you all the arms, ammuni¬ 
tion, &c., which I can possibly spare—lists of which are enclosed. 

I am. sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

ISAAC S. STERRETT, 

Commander. 


[No. 80.] 

U. S. Revenue Cutter, Jefferson Davis, ) 
Seattle, October 15th, 1856. ) 

C. H. Mason, Esq., 

Acting Governor, Washington Territory :— 

Sir :—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 
of the 14 th inst., relative to furnishing arms, &c., for the use of volunteers 
recently called out by your Excellency. 





1C5 


Unfortunately, this vessel was but partially provided with arms on 

saihnr ;"■>n ;*v ioj.c. i a ul yo;;, .;. v. •, •. n ncny as I can possibly 
sp nv, w.t.i 3 ;0 ru 1.1 b j. .a: k . ; . ^ } r.^r.t that I cannot 
wore fully comply with your request.. 

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, 

WILLIAM C, PEASE, 

Captain, 


[No. 31.] 

U. S. Revenue Cutter, “Jefferson Davis,” ) 
Steilaccom, October 17th, 1855. ) 

C. H. Mason, 

Acting Governor Washington Territory 

Sir :— I have the honor to inform your Excellency of my arrival at 
this place, and to state that I can land twenty men, well armed with rifles, 
at a moment's notice, and will be happy to do so, whenever occasion may 
require it, provided the safety of the vessel is not endangered thereby, 

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, 

WILLIAM C. PEASE, 

Captain, 


[No. 32.] 


Executive Office, OlymTia, W. T., 
October 18th, 1855. 


Capt. I. S. Sterrett, 

Commanding U. S. Ship Decatur :— 

Sir :—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of 
15th inst., with the enclosed invoice, which I herewith return receipted, 
all the articles therein mentioned having been received by me. 

At my request Lieut. Drake has remained here, in order to trans- 
14 





106 


port pack saddles, &c., from this place to the Quartermaster at Fort 
Steilacoom. I have also further requested him to render, through his 
boat and crew, such further assistance in transporting articles to the gar¬ 
rison as may be needed in the present exigency. 

This evening an express reached me from Fort Vancouver, bringing 
the information that Major Haller had met with a serious check from the 
Indians before rc-inforcemcnts reached him, and that he had been com¬ 
pelled to return to the Dalles. The above information was at once trans¬ 
mitted to Capt. Malony at Fort Steilacoom, with the request that every 
man that could possibly be spared be at once sent into the field. I also 
suggested to him that in case of necessity, doubtless some fifteen or twenty 
men could be spared from the “ Decatur/’ to take the place of the addi¬ 
tional troops taken from the garrison. If deemed necessary by him, this 
request will be made by me upon you. 

I would suggest that Seattle continue to be the station of the “ De¬ 
catur” until further information be received from the scene of action. 

I return to you my sincere thanks for the prompt, energetic and effi¬ 
cient action you have taken in co-operating with the civil authorities of 
the territory. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

C. H. MASON, 

Acting Governor Wash. Ter. 


{No. 33.] 


Executive Office, Olympia, 
October 18th, 1855. 


Capt, Wm. C. Pease, 

Comd’g Rev. Cutter, “Jefferson Davis.”— 

Sir: — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of 
October 15th, together with the accompanying invoice which I return 
receipted, the articles mentioned therein having been received by me. 

Information has this evening been received by me, that Maj. Haller, 
who left the Dalles with about one hundred men, had been attacked by a 
body of Indians estimated from twelve to fifteen hundred strong, and 
been compelled to return with a loss of five killed and seventeen wounded. 



107 


All the disposable force of the U. S. troops have been ordered into 
the field, and volunteers have been called for, both from Oregon and this 
territory. 

In this emergency, for the protection of the settlers on the more 
northern portions of the Sound, 1 beg leave to suggest that you make 
your cruising ground from Port Townsend, around Whidby’s Island to 
Bellingham Bay. 

I have suggested to Capt. Sterrett, Commanding TJ. S. Ship “ Peca 
tur,” that he remain for the present at Seattle, until further information 
from the scene of action. 

This evening I received your favor of Oct. 17th, dated from Steila- 
coom. 

Permit me to tender to you my thanks for the promptness with which 
you have co-operated with the civil authorities of the territory. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

C. H. MASON, 

Acting Governor, Wash. Ter. 


[No. 34.] 

Executive Office, Olympia, ) 

October 19th, 12 P. M., 1855. ) 

Capt. I. S. Sterrett, 

Commanding IT. S. Ship Decatur : 

Sir —Since my note of this evening, I have received a message 
from Fort Steilacoom. 

I will now request that as many of the marines as you can spare 
may be transferred to Fort Steilacoom, for the general protection of the 
post and the community. 

I have requested Lieut. Drake to remain there until your action in 
this matter is known. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your most obedient servant, 

C. H. MASON, 

Acting Gov. Wash. Ter. 



[No. 35.] 


108 


U. S. Revenue Cutter, "Jeff. Davis,” 

Steilacoom, October 31st, 1855. 

James Tilton, Esq., 

Adjutant General Washington Territory:— 


Dear General :—Yours of this morning is just received. I send 
you with pleasure two twelve pounder guns and fixtures complete. The 
guns are loaded with grape shot. You know the necessity of having them 
secured as well as I do. * * * * * 


Will you allow me to suggest to you the propriety of calling for vol¬ 
unteers from the lower part of the Sound, to rendezvous here immedi¬ 
ately. I am certain they will be wanted sooner or later. I have pork, 
beef and bread enough at Port Townsend for them if necessary. 

I doubt the propriety of defending the post at great hazard, against 
a large body of Indians, because there is no retreat. This would not 
happen, of course, unless JVlalony was cut off, and it is doubtful if it 
would happen even then. The Nisqually Indians are joining the disaf¬ 
fected, and I)r. Tolmic is somewhat alarmed. 

I shall remain here until matters get quiet—ready to take only women 
and children on board. 

I think thirty good men can be got from Whidby’s Island and vi¬ 
cinity. * * * * * ❖ * 

In great haste, yours very truly, 

WM. C, PEASE. 


[No. 36.] 


Executive Office, W. T., ) 

Olympia, Nov. 3d, 1855.]* 


To the Officer Commanding 

U. S. Squadron on the Pacific Station : 

« 

Sir :— I have the honor to inform you that a war has broken out in 
this territory with the Yakima and several confederated tribes of Indians 
on the eastern side cf the Cascade range of mountains, and that from the 
very uncertain hold which we have upon the tribes inhabiting the shores 
of Puget Sound, serious difficulties are to be apprehended there also. In 



109 


fact, a collision has already taken place with one band, in which citizens 
have been killed, and the extent of the combination is not yet ascertained. 
Under these circumstances, our population being very sparse and ill 
armed, the gravest consequences are to be apprehended in. case the war 
extends. The troops posted at Fort Steilaeoom have all been sent across 
the mountains, and reinforcements are yet needed for the force employed 
there. The sloop-of-war Decatur, and Revenue Cutter Jefferson Davis, 
are both stationed at exposed points, but it is deemed very essential that 
an additional vessel of war, if possible, a steamer, should be sent to 
cruise at other points, and co-operate with the land forces in boat attacks. 
As the danger is imminent, I most earnestly request that this may be 
done without delay. 

Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 

C. H. MASON, 

Acting Gov. Ter. Wash. 


[No. 37.] 

U. S. Sloop-of-War, Decatur, ) 

Off Seattle, W. T., Nov. 14th, 1855. j 

Hon. Chas. H. Mason, 

Acting Governor W. T., Olympia : 

Sir :—In consequence of the receipt of the enclosed letter from the 
people at Port Townsend, I shall leave for that place in the morning, and 
upon the arrival of the Cutter, Jefferson Davis there, shall get under 
way for a cruise up the Sound, touching at the various ports. 

They can muster here about seventy-five (75) men. In addition to 
this force, I shall leave Lieut. Drake with eight marines and the boat’s 
howitzer, which, in my opinion, is sufficient to defend the place until my 
return. 

The inhabitants are deficient in arms, mustering, I believe, only about 
thirty-five [35] or forty good muskets and rifles. They have others 
which are very indifferent, and should be replaced by effective weapous as 
soon as possible. 

Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 

ISAAC S. STERRETT, 

Commander 



110 


[No. 88.] 


TJ. S. Sloop-of-War, Decatur, 

Off Seattle, Nov. 18th, 1855. 


lion. Chas. H. Mason, 

Acting Governor W. T., Olympia : 

g IR ._ * * * * Since the 14th inst., 

I have procured a good twelve pound gun from Dr. Maynard, and as soon 
as it is mounted and every thing ready for a siege, I shall leave on a 
cruise to touch at the various ports on the Sound, where protection may 
be required, feeling satisfied that the people here are perfectly capable of 
takiug care of themselves, at least for the present. 

I must again request you to furnish me, with all convenient dispatch, 
authority to take from any vessel with arms on board for this territory, 
the numbers of guns, pistols, &c., required for a vigorous prosecution of 
the war in the lower part of the Sound. 

I have the honor to be, 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

ISAAC S. STERRETT, 

Commander. 


[No. 39.] 

Executive Office, Ter. Washington, ) 
Olympia, Dec. 28th, 1855. ) 

Capt. G. Gansevoort, 

Commanding U. S. Ship, Decatur: 

Sir :—Under the present relations existing in this territory between 
the citizens of the United States and the Indians residing within our 
limits, I have to request your oo operation with the officers of the Indian 
Department in suqh*measures as have been adopted for our self-preserva¬ 
tion, and for the protection of such Indians as may at present be deemed 
friendly. 

In order to remove the Indians residing on the eastern side of Puget 
Sound, as far as possible from the influence of the hostile bands, all from 
all communication with them, and at the same time to protect them from 
■any careless or untoward conduct on the part of the troops now in the 



Ill 


field, they have been ordered to certain localities, designated by the In¬ 
dian agents, on the northern part of the Sound. 

This order has been very generally and cheerfully complied with at all 
points, with the exception of a small band at the town of Seattle. This 
point, from its proximity to the present hostile ground, must necessarily, 
for the protection of all concerned, be subjected to the same policy that 
has been carried out through other parts of the territory. 

Orders have been given to the Indian agent for the Puget Sound 
District to this effect, and in case of difficulty, he has been directed to 
apply to you for assistance. 

This request is not confined to this particular place, or the circum¬ 
stances connected with it, but to any or all occasions, in which it 
may be necessary to strengthen the influence of the officers of the In¬ 
dian Department of this territory. 

The Indians that have thus far been collected, have been placed in 
charge of special agents, who have been directed not to allow them to 
leave their present locality without a pass from the agent in charge. 
That you may be aware of the persons at present holding this authority, 
I herewith furnish their names: M. T. Simmons, J. B. Webber, D. L. 
Maynard, H. H. Tobin, N. D. Hill, Robt. C. Fay, and E. C. Fitzhugh. 
Should any more special agents be appointed, you will be informed of the 
same. 

In conclusion, I will say that the Indians residing on Puget Sound, 
as far as at present is ascertained, are friendly, and it requires but a ju¬ 
dicious and friendly, but firm course, to maintain the present amicable 
relations. 

I am, sir, with much respect, 

Your obedient servant, 

CHAS. H. MASON, 

Acting Gov. W. T. 


[No. 40.] 

Fort Steilaccou, Feb. 16th, 1856. 

Capt. Gansevoort, 

Commanding Naval Forces, Puget Sound: 

Sir : —C ol. M. T. Simmons is operating on the rear of the hostile 
Indians from the falls of the Snoqualmie. He has with him Pat Canim 
^ind sixty friendly Indians. 



112 


They need support. I have ordered Capt. Isaac N. Ebey, the en¬ 
rolling officer of the lower battalion, at once to dispatch all his disposable 
force in that quarter ; he is at Port Townsend, and one company is there 
ready to take the Held. 

I will, therefore, ask you to dispatch the Active immediately to Port 
Townsend, take on board Capt. Ebey’s forces and supplies, and transport 
them to the mouth of the Snohomish. It is a most vital operation, and 
I trust you will see your way clear to immediately dispatch the Active. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient servant, 

('Signed,^ ISAAC I. STE'VENS, 

Gov. Ter. Wash, 


[No. 41.] 

Executive Office. Tf.r. Wash., ) 

Olympia, Feb. 17, 1856. ) 

Capt. G. Gaxsevoort, 

Commanding Naval Forces, Seattle : 

Sir :—From information I have received, I am apprehensive of a 
descent on the settlements on the lower part of the Sound, of fourteen 
war canoes of northern Indians, and I have most respectfully but strongly 
to urge that the Active, after having furnished troops and supplies at the 
mouth of the Snohomish, be kept cruising the whole time between Port 
Townsend, Bellingham Bay and Seattle. 

These northern Indians, in daring, force and intelligence, greatly 
surpass the Indians of the Sound. Their war canoes, carrying seventy- 
five men, can be moved through stormy seas, and with great rapidity. I 
deem it essential to the protection of the lower portion of the Sound, 
that a steamer should be constantly in motion there. 

I trust, therefore, you will be able to comply with my request, and I 
remain, very respectfully, your most obedient, 

‘(Signed,) ‘ ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. Wash. Ter. 



113 


[No. 42.) 

Office Adjutant General, W. T. Y., [ 

Olympia, March 2d, 1356. j 

Capt. Alden, 

Commanding U. S. Steamer Active : 

Sir: —By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief, I write 
to request you to furnish us with all the spare percussion caps and priming 
or rifle powder you can. 

I take it for granted you will soon depart for San Francisco, and as 
we are very scarce of ammunition, it will greatly relieve us if you can 
furnish it. 

Also, it would greatly facilitate our operation if you could take a 
supply of arms hence to the Columbia River. The roads across are so 
execrable at this season of the year, and also the transportation of the 
country so absorbed by the requirements of the troops moving into the 
White river country, that we are at a loss to devise means for forwarding 
arms to the Southern Battalion, now organizing upon the Columbia river, 
and to furnish the inhabitants of that region with their quota of arms. 

If it is possible for you to afford us this assistance, in addition to the 
most essential and arduous service you have rendered this territory during 
the past winter, it will be highly appreciated by the government and in¬ 
habitants of Washington territory, and constitute an appropriate close 
to the efficient and invaluable services of the Active, during the present 
Indian war in Washington territory. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

Your most ob 7 t servant, 

(Signed,; JAMES TILTON, 

Adj’t Gen. W. T 


[No. 43.] 

L T . S. Coast Survey Steamer Active, } 
Seattle, March 3d, 1856, j 

James Tilton, 

Adjutant G eneral W. T. Volunteers ; 

Sir Your letter, dated yesterday, is received, and for the informa¬ 
tion of the Governor, I have the honor to state that I have been supply 
15 



114 


lDg the volunteers with ammunition to the extent of my means, and re’ 
cently at Port Townsend, we turned over to Captain Howe, Company I, 
all that we could possibly spare in the way of cartridges and caps. The 
fifteen pounds of rifle powder herewith sent, is all of that article, except 
a pound or two, that we now have on board. 

I should be exceedingly glad to be of service in transporting the 
arms you mention to the Columbia river, and if you will forward them to 
this place by the Massachusetts (which vessel visits Olympia in a few 
days) I will receive them on board, and if possible, deliver them at the 
point named. The difficulty, however, of crossing the bar of the Colum¬ 
bia river is frequently so great at this season of the year, that I propose 
in view of too great a detention there, to carry the arms to San Fran¬ 
cisco, and ship them at once on board the Mail Steamer for the point 
named, which arrangement, I am sure, will place them there within a rea¬ 
sonable time, and which I trust will meet your views. 

With a grateful sense of the flattering notice which your letter con¬ 
tains, of our humble efforts to be of service to the people of this territory, 
I am, very truly, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed ,) JAMES ALDEN, 

Commander U. S. Navy, commanding Steamer Active. 


[No. 44.] 

Executive Office, Territory Washington, ) 
Olympia, March 15, 1856. ) 

Capt. Samuel Swartwout, 

Commanding Naval Forces, Puget Sound, Seattle : 

Sir :—I have despatched my aid-de-camp, Lt. Col. Crosbie, to con¬ 
fer with you in relation to a combined movement of the naval and mili¬ 
tary forces from Seattle. 

I have selected Col. Crosbie for this duty in consequence of his 
great familiarity with all portions of the country, its geography, its In¬ 
dian tribes, and its people. 

If an operation could go on from Seattle—say a war expedition to 
the lake, the establishment of a block house on that lake, and a good 



115 


wagon road opened therefrom with Seattle, it would combine admirably 
with the operations now going on from this quarter and from the Snolio- 
m ish—would much circumscribe the country now occupied by the hostiles 
■—would furnish opportunities of striking immediate blows, and would 
probably pave the way for the final blow to end the war. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor Territory Washington. 


[No. 45.] 

U. S. Steamer Massachusetts, ) 

Harbor of Seattle, W. T., March 16, 1856. ) 

To His Excellency, Isaac I. Stevens, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief W. T. V. Forces : 

Sir —Your letter of the 15th instant, was handed to me to-day by 
Lieut. Col. Crosbie. 

In reply, I would state that my instructions upon assuming the com¬ 
mand of the U. S. naval forces in Puget Sound, direct me to act in con¬ 
cert with the military forces under Major General Wool, when the same 
can be done within the immediate vicinity of the Sound ; but not to per¬ 
mit any portion of my command to go into the interior. If, however, I 
were at liberty to co-operate with your volunteers in prosecuting the ex¬ 
pedition you have projected, it would be impracticable, as I understand 
that the river from here to the lakes is not navigable for our boats, and 
besides, when the volunteers leave this place, the inhabitants will be en¬ 
tirely dependent upon the naval forces here in the event of an attack by 
the hostile Indians. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) S. SWARTWOUT, 

Commanding XL S. Naval Forces, Puget Sound. 






116 


(Ko. 40.] 


U. 8. Revenue Cutter Jefferson Davis, 
Port Townsend, March 22d, 1856. 


James Tilton, JEsq., 

Adjutant General W. T. Y. Forces : 

Sir :—Having received instructions to replace the battery belonging 
to this vessel as soon as possible, you will please send me the guns and 
accompaniments by your first opportunity to Seattle, either by the steamer 
“Traveller,” or the schooner “R. B. Potter.” 

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ‘ W. C. PEASE, 

Captain. 


INo. 4t] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. Vol., 
Olympia, March 31st, 1856. 


Capt. W. C. Pease, 

Commanding U. S. Revenue Cutter “Jefferson Davis:” 

Sir: —Your letter, dated March 22d, Port Townsend, requesting a 
return of the two cannon so promptly furnished the inhabitants of Olym¬ 
pia from your vessel last winter, is received. 

In reply I am instructed by the Governor and Commander-in-Chief 
to state— 

In view of the condition of Indian affairs in the vicinity, the uncer¬ 
tain tenure by which the Chekalls, our near neighbors, are held to their 
allegiance, and the fact of roving bands of the White river Indians hav¬ 
ing turned the flank of the forces about Fort Slaughter on the Muckle- 
shoot, and being now lurking in the forest skirting the prairies lying be¬ 
tween the JSesqually and Skookum Chuck—the confidence inspired in 
our citizens with families residing here, and the dread the presence of the 
cannon inspires the enemy with, all these facts, sir, constitute sufficient 
reason for retaining the cannon just now, and urging you to endeavor to 
•continue your active and useful cruisings without them, or procure others 
from the men-of-war now lying in the harbor of Seattle. 

In the hope you will concur with us in the opinion that the public 
service will be best served by having these cannon here, and you will add 
to your former valuable and efficient service to the people of the territory 





by acceding to the urgent desire of the inhabitants here to have them, 
these formidable means of defence. 

I am your obedient servant, 

fSigned*) JAMES TILTON, 

Adjutant General. 


[No. 48..] 

TJ. S. R. Cutter “Jefferson Davis,” ) 
Seattle, W. T., April 2d, 1856. ) 

James Tilton, 

Adjutant General W. T. V. Forces: 

Sir :—Your letter of the 31st ultimo was duly received, and in re¬ 
ply I have respectfully to state that I transferred a portion of my battery 
to the Revenue Cutter “Joseph Lane,” bound to Oregon, when I was in 
San Francisco, which now leaves me with only two guns. 

There are no guns on board any of the men-of-war now in port, that 
will suit this vessel, except howitzers used for land and boat service, and 
in cruising about the lower portion of the Sound, and in the vicinity of 
Bellingham Bay. It is necessary, as you are aware, for this vessel to be 
well armed, and the two guns you now have, are almost indispensable, 
but, under the circumstances set forth in your letter, of course, I can¬ 
not ask that you return them to me at present. 

The request, independent of that of the Governor, is a sufficient jus¬ 
tification for me to let them remain where they are. 

I have only to ask that you will return them to me as soon as you 
can do so with safety to the inhabitants of Olympia. 

I had much to contend against at San Francisco, in consequence of 
my having assisted in the present Indian war, notwithstanding my mind 
was not changed, and I am now ready to do the same for the citizens of 
this territory as I ever had, and if granting a little aid to the inhabitants 
in protecting them from the ruthless hand of the savage, with a govern¬ 
ment vessel, has become a crime, then let me go “whistling down the 
wind.” So long as I command this vessel, and (as I have asked to be 
recalled, the probability is that it will not be much longer) I am at the 
service of the Governor of Washington territory, let what will come. 

Allow me, sir, to express my admiration of his letter to General 



118 


Wool ! He shows himself to be the man for the occasion, and his letter 
seems to me to be equalled only by that of W. L. Marcy to Gen. Scott. 
I have the honor to be, sir, 

Very respectfully, your ob’t serv’t, 

(Signed,) W. C. PEASE, 

Captain U. S. Revenue Service. 


[No. 49.] 

U. S. Revenue Cutter Jefferson Davis, ) 
Seattle, W. T., March 30th, 1856. ) 

His Excellency, Isaac I. Stevens, 

Governor Washington Territory: 

Sir : —I have the pleasure to enclose to your Excellency a copy of 
a letter addressed to me by the Secretary of the Treasury. 

With sentiments of the highest respect, 

Your obedient humble servant, 

(Signed,) W. C. PEASE, 

Captain. 


[No. 50.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, ) 

Olympia, March 80, 1856. ) 

Capt. Samuel Swartwout, 

Commanding Naval Forces in Puget Sound : 

Sir :—I received information last evening that the Indians on the 
26th instant, attacked the Cascades, killed several persons, drove all the 
inhabitants either into the block house, or on ship-board, and that great 
excitement prevails throughout the Columbia valley. The Cascades is 
midway between Vancouver and the Dalles, and was held by a garrison 
of ten men of the regular troops. I am apprehensive that this informa¬ 
tion may have an unfavorable effect upon the Indians of the Sound who 
have, throughout the war, remained unfriendly, and I have directed the 
Indian Agent, Col. Simmons, to make a tour of inspection at the earliest 




119 


practicable period. At this time your steamers, moving from poi nt to 
point on the Sound, will, in my judgment, have most influence to main¬ 
tain the existing friendly attitude of the Indians on the reservations at 
Bellingham Bay, on the western shore of the Sound, and on the straits of 
De Fuca, and it may be indispensable to prevent their breaking 
out. 

I will ask you to send one of your steamers to Olympia, to take Col. 
Simmons on board, and convey him to the several reservations, to Belling¬ 
ham Bay, and down the straits De Fuca, as far as New Dunginess. I 
will state that I consider the visiting of the tribes by their agent on a na¬ 
tional vessel, to be important at this juncture. Were not my whole ener¬ 
gies required here, I should visit the tribes myself. 

If you can comply with my request, I will thank you to send the 
steamer to Olympia immediately. 

We are apprehensive that the hostile Indians are trying to turn our 
flank at the head of the Sound, and that they may attack our settlements 
from the Nisqually to the Cowlitz. Every neighborhood is, however, se¬ 
cured by block-houses, and I have a volunteer mounted force, including 
mounted quartermaster’s employees, of 180 men, ranging from the settled 
portion of Pierce county to the Cowlitz. This force will be increased 
some fifty men. Besides which, the volunteer force in the enemy’s country 
is, including Capt. Lander’s company, about three hundred men. 

Yery truly, yours, 

(Signed,; ISAAC I. STEYENS, 

Governor Washington Territory. 


[No. 5L] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, March 31st, 1856. 


Capt. Samuel Swartwout, 

Commanding Naval Forces Puget Sound: 

Sir ‘I have appointed H. Haley, Esq., local agent of the Indians 
of Seattle’s tribe, in place of Dr. Maynard, resigned. 

He is instructed, in the event that these Indians show a hostile dis¬ 
position, to call upon you for aid. They seem well disposed at the pres¬ 
ent time. I trust, however, in our present exigency, you will assist him.. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEYENS, 

Governor and Superintendent, W. TL 


% 



120 


[No. 52.] 

U. S. Steamer “Massachusetts,” I 
Harbor of Seattle, W. T., April 1st, 1856. ) 

His Excellency, Isaac I. Stevens, 

Governor Washington Territory, Olympia : 

Sir :—Your letters of the 80th and 31st ultimo, were handed to me 
last evening by Mr. Haley. Before the receipt of these letters, I had 
determined to despatch one of the vessels under my command upon a 
cruise in “ Fuca Straits ” and its vicinity, in order to suppress any hostile 
movements that might be exhibited by the northern Indians. It is my 
intention to keep the naval forces stationed here actively cruising in Pm 
get Sound and Fuca Straits, as I am fully aware it will have the effect to 
intimidate the hostile tribes, and prevent those Indians, who profess to be 
friendly, from committing depredations upon the white inhabitants. The 
volunteers having gone into the field, I shall be compelled to keep one 
vessel here, in order to garrison and defend the town in the event of an 
attack by the hostile Indians. 

The revenue cutter Jefferson Davis will sail very shortly for Port 
Townsend, to cruise in Fuca Straits. I will most cheerfully comply with 
your request, by aiding Mr. Haley as far as I can compatibly with my 
instructions, should the exigency occur to which you allude in your letter 
of the 31st ultimo. 

Agreeably to your request, I have directed Lieut. Com’dg D. Mc- 
Dougal to proceed to Olympia with the U. S. Steamer “John Hancock,” 
under his command, and take on board Col. Simmons, and carry him to 
the several reservations, Bellingham Bay, and New Dunginess. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) S. SWARTWOUT, 

Commanding Naval Forces, Puget Sound, 


[No. 53.] 

U. S. Steamer “Massachusetts,” ) 
Harbor of Seattle, W. T., April 20th, 1856. ) 

His Excellency, Isaac I. Stevens, 

Governor and Superintendent Indian Affairs, Olympia : 
Sir :—The enclosed letter from Mr. Haley was received by me yes¬ 
terday afternoon. Upon the receipt of it, I despatched the steamer 



121 


John Hancock,” over to the Reservation. Two of the Indians com¬ 
plained of were taken, the other escaped before the “ Hancock” arrived. 
I have sent the two Indians brought by the “Hancock,” on board of the 
11 R. B. Potter,” to be delivered into your custody. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) S. SWARTWOUT, 

Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Puget Sound. 


[No. 54.] 

Executive Office, Olympia, W. T., ) 

April 26th, 1856. } 

Capt. Samuel Swartwout, * 

Commanding Naval Forces, Puget Sound : 

Sir :—I have to return my acknowledgments for your promptly acce¬ 
ding to the request of Mr. Haley, to take from his reservation some bad 
Indians, and for sending them to me at Olympia. They arrived last eve¬ 
ning in the “ Potter,” 

Mr. Haley reports there are two other Indians who ought to be re¬ 
moved. If your assistance is again asked for by him, I will rely upon 
your furnishing it. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient servant, 

('Signed J ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. Ter. Wash. 


[No. 55.] 


Executive Office, Olympia, 
June 2d, 1856. 


Capt. Samuel Swartwout, 

Commanding Naval Forces, Puget Sound : 

Sir :—I have to return my heartfelt acknowledgments for your 
promptitude in despatching the “ Hancock ” to Holmes Harbor, and for 
16 




122 


advising me, through Captain Hewett, of the recent act of atrocity on 
White river. 

I am determined to apply the whole force at my disposal to bring to 
punishment the infamous perpetrators of such crimes. 

Orders go to Lieut. Denny to place his whole force at the disposal 
of the civil authorities, to arrest the individuals suspected of the murders. 

The “Hancock” probably did not leave Holme’s Harbor till after 
the arrival of Col. Simmons, and I have no question that the Colonel is 
now at Seattle, endeavoring to bring the murderers to justice. 

I am, sir, with much respect, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. Wash. Ter. 


[No. 56.] 


Head Quarters, W. T. V., 
Walla Walla Valley, W. T., August 31, 1856. 


Capt. Samuel Swartwout, 

Commanding Naval Forces, Puget Sound: 

Sir : — On my departure from Olympia for the upper country, I neg¬ 
lected to write to you. The fact was, I was obliged to work hard to 
leave my business in proper shape, as I expected to be absent from four 
to six weeks. Previous to my leaving, I had a very satisfactory confer¬ 
ence with the Indians at the reservation near Steilacoom, where some 
three hundred persons, just in from the war ground, were present. Gen. 
Tilton will be able to give you the particulars. 

I find things in the upper country in as good a condition as I ex¬ 
pected. The Nez Perces are very friendly. The advance of them reached 
my camp yesterday, and the whole nation will be here on Wednesday. 
My expresses have been among the tribes on and in the neighborhood of 
the Spokane the last five days, and Father Ravalli, the superior of the 
Cmur d’Lcne Mission, and a gentleman of great worth and intelligence, 
is of the opinion that they and the hostiles in that quarter, will come to 
the council. In about four days, I shall have definite information in re¬ 
lation to the parties who will be present at the council. 

The object of the council is primarily to strengthen the friendship of 





125 


the tribes who have not joined the hostiles, and secondly, to give an op¬ 
portunity to come in to such hostiles as are willing to submit to the jus¬ 
tice and mercy of the government. 

It is not to be diguised, however, that there is much uneasiness in the 
interior, and that, excepting the Nez Forces, a little thing may precipi¬ 
tate all the remaining tribes into war. I have letters written within the 
last twenty-three days, from every chief of the friendly tribes to the 
northward, and between the main Columbia and the Bitter Foot mount¬ 
ains, which show this to be the case. I have letters from Owhi and his 
s»n, the terms of which are utterly inadmissible. These letters are un¬ 
questionably the true dictations of the Indians, as they are written by 
Father Ravalli, in whose word I can place implicit confidence. 

For these reasons—for the reason that some little time must elapse 
before the people of the Souud, and especially .the discharged volunteers, 
become satisfied of the friendly disposition of the Indians, and also, for 
the reason that more time is yet required to thoroughly test the fealty of 
the Indians themselves, I trust that no part of the naval forces in the 
Sound will be withdrawn for the present. 

Your force here had the most happy effect in maintaining the friendly 
disposition of the Indians oil the Sound. It has been actively employed, 
and the Indians have learned that either for their protection, or the pro¬ 
tection of the people of the Sound, it would be directed with energy and 
skill. 

I have again to return my thanks to you, to Capt. McDougall, in 
command of the “John Hancock, ” your officers and men, for the services 
which they have rendered in maintaining the peace of the Sound. 

Very truly and respectfully, 

Your friend and obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor Washington Territory, 


[No. 51] 

U. S. Steamer “ Massachusetts,” ) 
Harbor of Seattle, W. T., Sc.pt. 17th, 1856. } 

To His Excellency, Isaac I. Stevens, 

Governor and Superintendent Indian Affairs, W. T.: 

Sir :—Your communication from Walla W r alla valley dated August 
31st, reached me yesterday. Please accept my thanks for the valuable 


s 



124 


information it contains in relation to the present state of Indian affairs in 
this territory, and permit me to tender to you' the sincere acknowledg¬ 
ments of all on board, for the complimentary manner with which you have 
adverted to our services on this station, in the suppression of Indian hos¬ 
tilities and protection of the white inhabitants. 

I have forwarded a copy of your letter to the Navy Department— 
believing that the Hon. Secretary of the Navy will be not only gratified, 
but edified with the perusal of its interesting contents. 

I had ordered the “ Hancock ” to San Francisco before the receipt 
of your letter, as her services were required there, and her furnaces an# 
flues needed extensive repairs, and besides I did not feel myself justified, 
neither would I have been sustained by the Navy Department, in detain¬ 
ing her here, subject to heavy expenses, after the war had terminated, and 
with it the exigency under which she had been fitted out. 

In a letter to the Navy Department, dated August 10th, sent by the 
“Hancock,” I submitted to the Honorable Secretary of the Navy, the 
propriety of keeping a vessel of war on this station, for at least several 
months after the war had terminated, or until affairs should become per¬ 
fectly tranquil, and confidence restored ; and in my letter to the Depart¬ 
ment, of yesterday’s date, enclosing a copy of yours, I reiterated this sug¬ 
gestion as a judicious and precautionary measure. . 

Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 

(Signed,) SAMUEL SWARTWOUT, 

Commander. 


[No. 58.] 


U. S. Steamer “Massachusetts, 
Port Gamble, W. T., Nov. 23d, 1856. 


His Excellency, Isaac I. Stevens, 

Governor and Sup’t Indian Affairs, Olympia, W. T.: 

Sir :—Having received information from Lieut. Col. Casey on the 
evening of the 18th inst., that a large party of northern Indians were 
committing depredations up the Sound, in the vicinity of Steilacoom, I 
got under way on the morning of the 19th inst., and proceeded to Steila¬ 
coom Reservation and Swan’s Logging Camp, in Henderson’s Bay, where 
I found that the Indians alluded to had been recently committing depre¬ 
dations at both of these places, and at the reservations they had a fight 




125 


with the Sound Indians, in which two of the northern Indians were killed, 
and one of their canoes captured. Ascertaining that the northern Indi¬ 
ans had left Henderson’s Bay the day before we arrived, on their way 
down the Sound, I proceeded with all despatch in pursuit of them, and 
was informed the same evening that they had been committing depreda¬ 
tions at Port Madison, but had left there, going down the Sound. I 
therefore passed Port Madison and proceeded to Port Gamble, where I 
arrived on the afternoon of the 20th inst., and found the northern Indians 
encamped in large force. 

Soon after anchoring, I despatched two boats containining eighteen 
"18) armed men, including an interpreter, under the command of Lieut. 
Foung, with orders to have a friendly talk with them, and endeavor to pre¬ 
vail upon them to leave the Sound peaceably, in tow of this vessel for 
Victoria, Vancouver’s Island. I also directed him to say to them that I 
vished two or three of their chiefs to come on board and have a friendly 
;alk with me, promising to forgive them for all the depredations they had 
committed, provided they would comply with my demands, and not return 
to the Sound any more. 

The Indians came down to the beach close to the boats in large force, 
armed, and in a menacing manner, threatened to shoot any one who 
landed, treating my propositions with contempt and ridicule, shaking their 
fists at the officers and men in the boats, and daring them to come on 
shore and fight them. 

As Lieut. Young had positive orders from me not to land, or come 
in collision with the Indians, but to endeavor to prevail upon them to 
leave the Sound by observing forbearance and conciliation, finding this 
course unavailing, he returned on board. I immediately fitted out a 
larger expedition, consisting of the launch with a howitzer, and two cut¬ 
ters, the whole force being composed of about forty-five (45) men, armed, 
with an interpreter from Port Gamble, under the command of Lieutenent 
Young, with orders to communicate with these Indians again, by sending 
the interpreter in advance with a flag of truce, and to make the same de¬ 
mands, observing a conciliatory course towards them, and to return to the 
ship without landing or molesting them, in case they should still refuse to 
comply with the demands. I also directed the interpreter to say to them 
that I had a large force under my command which it would be impossible 
for them to resist, and to prevail upon them by every persuasion in his 
power, to yield to my demands, and not compel me to resort to compul¬ 
sory measures in order to remove them from the Sound, promising again 
to forgive them for all the depredations they had committed, provided 
they would leave the Sound peaceably. 

They refused most positively to accede to my propositions, saying 


they would go as soon as they got ready, but not with me, and if possible, 
treated Lieutenant Young in a more insulting and threatening manner 
than when he first landed there. He therefore returned on board, again 
failing to accomplish any thing. Finding a temporizing course no longer 
available, and it being now dark, I determined in the morning to make 
preparations for an attack, for which purpose I removed the ship as close 
as possible to their encampment, about six hundred yards distant, and 
abreast of it—keeping her broadside to bear upon it by springs upon the 
cable, and at seven o’clock the next morning, I despatched Lieiltenant 
Semmes, in the first cutter, to the steamer “Traveller,” (which vessel, 
with the launch under the command of Lieut. Forrest, both having field 
pieces on board, had been anchored the night before above the Indians' 
encampment, so that their guns had a raking fire upon it) with orders to 
communicate with the Indians again, through a flag of truce, and reiter¬ 
ate the demands which had been twice made upon them, and to point out 
to them our preparations, and the folly on their part to make any further 
resistance, but, if they still persisted in refusing to comply with my propo¬ 
sitions, I would be compelled, very reluctantly, to resort to force. After 
the interpreter had been communicating with them some twenty minutes, 
Lieutenant Semmes landed with a force of twenty-nine sailors and ma¬ 
rines, accompanied by Lieutenant Forrest and Mr. Fendall, commander’s 
clerk, in order to charge them should it become necessary. The disem¬ 
barkation was successfully effected, although it was blowing very fresh at 
the time from the northward and westward, with a heavy swell on, they 
were obliged to wade up to their waists in the water, and carry the boat 
howitzer in their arms. 

After forming the party on the beach, Lieut. Semmes advanced alone 
to where the interpreter was having a talk with several of the chiefs, and 
delivered my message to them through the interpreter. They made some 
trivial objections about acceding to it, showing a great deal of defiance 
iu their manner, and those who were unarmed, armed themselves imme¬ 
diately—commenced carrying their goods to the woods, dancing a war 
dance, and making every preparation for fight. I had directed Lieutenant 
Semmes to endeavor if possible to bring them to terms without having a 
rencounter, and it was the impression of every body here that they would 
hold out no longer when they saw the formidable preparations we had 
made. 

It was not until after every argument had failed to convince them of 
the folly of any further resistance, and they had taken positions behind 
logs and trees with their guns pointed towards our party on the beach in 
a hostile manner, that the order was given to fire the field pieces from the 
Traveller, ” and it appears that this fire and that from the Indians were 


simultaneous—many of our party thinking the Indians fired first. As 
soon as the firing commenced I gave orders to direct the battery of this 
ship towards the encampment of the Indians, and that part of the woods 
where they appeared to be concealed, and to fire upon them with round 
shot and grape, which appeared to do great execution. Under the cover 
of our guns, the field piece on board of the “Traveller,” in command of 
acting master’s mate Cummings, and the boat howitzer on the beach, in 
charge of Mr. Fendall, Lieutenant Simmes, and Forest, with a party of 
twenty-nine sailors and marines, made a very gallant charge upon the In¬ 
dians, driving them from their encampment into the woods, and were ably 
supported by the howitzers. 

All who were engaged in this charge behaved with the coolness of 
veterans. The encampment was situated at the base of a high, and very 
steep hill, upon which the trees and underbrush were so very thick, and 
there was so much fallen timber upon the ground as to render it almost 
impassable except for savages. 

After setting fire to their huts, destroying their property, amounting 
to several thousands of dollars, and disabling all but on§ of their canoes, 
('which were hauled near to their encampment,) Lieutenant Semmes, 
agreeably to my orders, returned with all his. party in the “ Traveller ” 
and boats alongside this ship, having held possession of the encampment 
from about twenty minutes past seven until ten A. M. 

The Indians fought with desperate courage and determination, and 
worthy of a better cause. 

During the whole day a fire was kept up from this vessel upon the 
Indians whenever they were seen in the woods, and with great execution. 

I regret to state that early in the engagement one of my best men 
was killed, and another wounded in the left hand. These were the only 
casualties on our side, although several of the officers and men attached 
to the shore party were struct by slugs, which glanced off from their pis¬ 
tols and bowie knives with little or no injury to their persons. 

Lieutenant Young, I am sorry to say, was disabled the night previ¬ 
ous to the fight from a fall in the launch. Lieutenant Fairfax, although 
on the sick list, being aware of the small number of officers on duty, very 
promptly offered his services, which I found invaluable from the able man¬ 
ner in which he conducted operations on board this ship, especially as I 
was absent part of the time in a boat supervising the detachments ashore, 
and on board the “Traveller. ” 

The weather having moderated, and the sea becoming smoother in 
the afternoon, I despatched Lieut. Semmes, third assistant engineer Rind, 
Mr. Fendall, and acting master’s mate Moore, with a party of thirty- 
seven sailors and marines on shore to destroy the good canoe which they 


128 


left in the morning, and see that the others were rendered unseaworthy, 
in order to prevent the Indians from leaving here during the night. This 
duty was performed in a gallant manner, and I am happy to say, without 
the loss of a single man, although during the whole time they were sub¬ 
jected to a heavy fire from the enemy. 

During both of these shore attacks a constant and very effective fire 
was kept up from the battery of this ship and the field pieces on board of 
the “ Traveller. ” On the afternoon of the fight, I sent a squaw who had 
been taken prisoner to the Indians, offering to forgive them if they would 
surrender, go with me to Victoria, and from thence proceed to their 
homes and never return again to the Sound. In reply, they sent me a 
message of defiance, saying they would fight as long as there was a man 
of them alive. 

On the morning of the 22d inst., I received a message from the In¬ 
dians sueing for peace, and shortly afterwards I was visited by two of 
their principal chiefs, who surrendered unconditionally, and begged for 
mercy in a most humble and suppliant manner. 

They informed me when the fight commenced they had one hundred 
and seventeen (117) men, exclusive of the squaws and boys: that there 
had been twenty-seven killed, one chief wounded in the thigh, and a num¬ 
ber missing, whom they presumed were wounded in the woods. They said 
they were in a deplorable condition, having lost all their property, and 
that they had little or nothing to eat for the last forty-eight hours. 

I furnished them with provisions, and promised to let them off with¬ 
out further chastisement provided they would go in this ship to Victoria 
and never return again to the Sound.- This they promised most faithfully 
to do. 

I shall receive them all on board to-day, and proceed with them im¬ 
mediately to Victoria. • 

Our whole available force, including Officers, during this engagement, 
amounted to ninety-six, forty-one of which we detailed for the shore party 
and steamer “Traveller.” The remaining fifty-five were left on board 
this ship for the purpose of working her battery. The majority were 
composed of officers, .officer's attendants and boys. 

The following officers, Lieut. Fairfax, first assistant engineer Patter¬ 
son, civil engineer Sutton, acting gunner McAlpine, acting boatswain Ty¬ 
ler, acting carpenter Berry, acting master’s mate Howard, Mr. Slater, 
pilot, and part of the time third assistant engineer Hind, and acting 
master’s mate Moore, were on board of this ship, who, together with the 
crew, performed the duties devolving upon them in a most praiseworthy 
manner. 


129 


As so much gallantry and zeal was displayed by the officers and 
crew engaged in this fight, it would be invidious for me to particularize 
any further. 

The above statement is in substance my report to the Navy Depart¬ 
ment, which I have concluded to forward to you, presuming it would be 
interesting. 

I am satisfied the northern Indians after this severe chastisement, 
will not visit the Sound again, especially if the inhabitants hold out no 
inducements by offering them employment, and it would doubtless be ad¬ 
visable to prevail upon the legislature to enact a law making it a penal 
offence for any white inhabitant of the Sound to harbor or employ any of 
the northern Indians. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) S. SWARTWOUT, 

Commander. 


P. S.—November 24th.—The total loss of killed and wounded on 
the part of the Indians is now ascertained to be twenty-seven killed and 
twenty-one wounded, among the latter one of their chiefs. This great 
mortality is doubtless owing to the coolness of the officers, sailors and 
marines, their deliberate aim and accuracy of fire in‘discharging the great 
guns, howitzers and small arms, which has been attained from frequent 
drilling and target practice. The sailors and marines who composed the 
shore party fired their pieces with deliberate aim and great coolness, and 
loaded them whilst charging, without stopping. Great credit is due to 
Lieutenant Young and Sergeant Quinlaw, under whose instructions these 
sailors and marines have been drilled. 

Our loss would have been more had not the charging party been so 
ably protected by the battery from this ship and the howitzers. The shot 
and shell were thrown from these guns with surprising accuracy. 

I have now eighty-seven of these Indians on board. As soon as the 
remainder of them come on board I will proceed to Yietoria, la?:d them 
there, and see that they are sent to their own country. 

The above statement is in substance my report to the Navy Depart¬ 
ment, which I have concluded to forward to you, presuming it would be 
interesting. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ” ’ S. SWARTWOUT, 

Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Puget Sound. 


17 


130 


[No. 59.1 


Head Quarters, Department of the Pacific, 
Benicia, September 18, 1855. 


His Excellency, 

The Governor of Washington Territory, Olympia:— 
Sir : —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yonr letter of 
August 24th, and 30th, enclosing petitions from citizens of Washington 
Territory, for the establishment of a military post on or near Bellingham 
Bay. 

The recommendation contained in your letters has been anticipated, 
in so far that it is the intention to establish a military post on Bellingham 
Bay as soon as practicable, and for that purpose a reconnoissance has 
been made under my orders by Capt. Stoneman and Lieut. Whiting. The 
troops expected to reinforce the companies in this department not arriving 
in season, the building of the post is necessarily postponed until next 
spring or summer. 

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) JOHN E. WOOL, 

Major General. 


[No. 60.] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, Oct. 20, 1855. 


Gen. John E. Wool, 

Commanding Pacific Division U. S. A., Benicia, Cal.: 

Sir :—Owing to the pressing necessity for ammunition to supply the 
force, regular and volunteer, in this territory during the present Indian 
war, I have the honor to request that powder and ball be sent to the va¬ 
rious military posts here to furnish cartridges for the quota of arms due 
Washington territory, and which I am advised by the chief of the Ord¬ 
nance Department at Washington City, have been ordered from the arse¬ 
nal at Benicia, California, to Olympia, W. T. 

The officers commanding Forts Yancouver and Steilacoom have ta¬ 
ken the field with all the disposable regular force, strengthened by all the 
volunteers which safety to the settlements upon the Columbia river and 
Puget Sound will warrant. 



131 


As the enemy number about two thousand fighting men now in arms, 
and success may cause the tribes west of the Cascade mountains to join 
the Yakima and other tribes now at war, I respectfully suggest that as 
many troops as can be spared from California be sent to Fort Yancover, 
the Dalles and Fort Steilacoom. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

Your most ob’t. servant, 

fSignedJ C. H. MASON, 

Acting Governor W. T. 


[No. 61.] 


Council Ground, Camp Stevens, 
Walla Walla Valley, W. T., May 22d, 1855. 


Major General John E. Wool, 

Commanding Pacific Division, Vancouver, W. T.: 

Sir :—I feel it my duty to call your attention to the urgent necessity 
of establishing the greater portion of the troops now stationed on the 
Columbia river, at or near this place, and to express the opinion that as 
regards the Indian service, depots only are required at Vancouver and the 
Dalles. 

Its position to overcome hostile Indians, and to protect the several 
immigrant routes is remarkably central. It is in direct connection with 
the great South Pass immigrant trail, and with all the northern routes ex¬ 
plored by me from the sources of the Missouri. Roads run to the Nez 
Perces country, to the Yakima country, and via the Cascades to the 
Sound and to Colville. It is the central point of Indians within two to 
three hundred miles—the Yakimas, the Clickatats, the Pischous, the 
Okinakanes, the Walla Wallas, the Indians of the Walla Walla to the 
Dalles, the Cayuses, the Palouses, the Spokanes, the Colville Indians, the 
Cceur d’Alenes, the Nez Perces, and the Snakes, numbering some nine 
thousand. No force is required at the Dalles for protection against the 
“ Indians in that neighborhood. A guard here would have the effect of a 
garrison at the Dalles for the Indians in that quarter. The Indians, how¬ 
ever, are generally friendly, except the Cayuses and the Snakes. The 
Cayuses have been so disorderly since measures have been taken to call 
.the neighboring tribes into Council to purchase their lands and place them 



132 


on reservations, that the settlers have been put in jeopardy, and sub¬ 
agent Palmer, of Oregon, and myself have made a requisition on Major 
Paines to send a military force to this place to be present at the council, 
a requisition with which he has promptly complied. Our camp is in the 
heart of the country claimed by the Cayuses, The Snakes have been 
unusually insolent of late, having seized cattle within the past few weeks 
at the very gates of Fort Boise, and their insolence has incited the Cay- 
uses to assume a tone of defiance towards the settlers and the authorities. 
The Snakes ought to be summarily punished for the outrages of the past 
year. 

A post at this place to be effective, should consist mainly of cavalry, 
and should be garrisoned by a force large enough to furnish moveable 
columns for the protection of the immigrant trails during the season of 
immigration. A wagon road is to be built by authority of congress from 
Fort Benton near the great Falls of the Missouri, to this valley, which 
will open an immigrant route from the states bordering the great lakes. 
The moveable columns, besides protecting the trails, might be called on 
to furnish one or two small detachments, to occupy under canvass, tempo¬ 
rary stations at the Grand Bound and Fort Boise, where Indians at cer¬ 
tain seasons resort in great numbers for the purpose of trade. 

I am aware that. the force at your disposal is inadequate to accom¬ 
plish all that is desired. But I will respectfully urge that such force as 
you have at your disposal will be most effectual at this point. 

This valley affords great facilities for the maintainance of a military 
post. Inexhaustible grass, summer and winter, abundance of timber and 
fuel, beef for a large force through the year ; already settlers enough in 
the vicinity to furnish vegetables ; lands adapted to the cereals and to 
grass, to furnish bread and forage after the first year. There is an admi¬ 
rable site for a post near the saw mill of Whitman’s Mission. I am seven 
miles above the site now occupied by Bumford, Brooks, & Noble. 

As you are now in the country, I will urge that you visit this valley, 
and judge from your own observation and investigation of its character 
as a military centre of operations. It can be supplied by wagon trains 
through nearly the entire year from the Falles. The experience of the 
Cayuse war, in connection with the outrages of the Snakes of the past 
year, and the present insolent deportment of both has impressed me with 
the conviction 'that unless some step of the kind I have indicated is taken, 
a contingency may arise which will involve the country in even greater 
expenditures than that for which congress has recently made appropriations. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Superintendent, W. T 


# 


133 


[No. 62.] 

Head Quarters, Camp W. T. Volunteers, ) 
Walla Walla Valley, W. T., Dec. 28, 1855. j 

Major General John E. Wool, • ‘‘ 

Commanding Pacific Division, Vancouver, W. T.: 

Sir :—I reached this point some thirty miles to the eastward of Fort 
Walla Walla, on the Columbia, on the 20th instant. We have had ex¬ 
traordinary success in our long march from the waters of the Missouri, 
and I trust that the conferences with the Indian tribes on my way will 
have some effect in preventing tribes now peaceable from becoming hos¬ 
tile. 

A very important result has been gained by the operations of the 
volunteer forces in this valley. The Cayuses, Walla Wallas, Dmatillas, 
the Tye, Deschutes and a portion of the Palouse Indians, numbering 
;rom five to six hundred warriors, have been defeated and driven across 
the Snake river. They are now scattered along the north bank of the 
Snake, from its mouth to the Nez Perces country, and the bulk of them 
are believed to be in camp in the first wood on the Palouse river. From 
the best information I can gain, I am of opinion that not more than five to 
six hundred Indians participated in the fight. These Indians are in con¬ 
stant communication with the Yakimas under Kam-y-a-kin, and I have 
reports that he is meditating an attack with these combined forces upon 
the troops in the valley. These reports I do not credit. I am of opin¬ 
ion that the Indians desire the war to be put off till spring, in the hopes 
that their numbers may be augmented by the Spokanes, Okinakanes, Col- 
villes, Casur d’Allaines, and the tribes north of the line, and in case of de¬ 
feat, of having the means of retreat to the north, and across the mount¬ 
ains eastward to the buffalo country. 

The Cceur d’Allaines, Spokanes, Colvilles, and Okinakanes, number 
about twenty-one hundred souls, and some four to five hundred warriors, 
only a portion armed with guns. The three former tribes, numbering 
about seventeen hundred, I called into council on the Spokane early this 
month, and have received from them the most unqualified assurances that 
they would reject all the overtures of the hostile tribes, and maintain re¬ 
lations of friendship with the government, but they have been very much 
shaken by the efforts made to involve them in the war, and if operations 
are suspended till spring, there would be great danger that they would 
then be met in arms. 

The Nez Perces are staunch and entirely reliable. Some seventy of 
their warriors well armed, accompanied me from their own country all 
the way to my camp. I crossed the mountains with twenty-five men, and 


134 


l>y accessions from the miners and citizens who had fled for protection to 
the Nez Perces country, and from other sources, we had a force of volun¬ 
teers organized in two companies, ^md numbering in all fifty-two men. 

The volunteers of Oregon in this valley number about four hundred 
men. #• * 

I am of opinion that all the tribes from the Dalles to the Nez Per¬ 
ces country, and from the Blue Mountains to the Spokanes, were in arms 
against the government—have not over twelve hundred males, and that 
they cannot bring into the field more than one thousand effective men. 
My sources of information are good, and I write with confidence. The 
hostile tribes, throwing out bands known to be friendly and in charge of 
local agents, do not number quite five thousand souls. 

On reaching this point I exceedingly regretted to learn that the Ya¬ 
kima country had been abandoned. In my opinion it could have been 
held by two hundred men, and have been supplied by Walla Walla. 
There is a good road from Walla Walla to the Yakima mission. The 
distance is about ninety miles ; little or no snow lays on the ground for 
more than two-thirds the distance, and at the imssion snow is seldom 
more than six inches deep. 

The whole valley is remarkably favorable for winter operations; 
grass and wood abundant, and there are various streams of excellent wa¬ 
ter. The snow lays on the ground but a short time, and then but a few 
inches deep, and scarcely interfering with the grazing of animals. 

On the Snake, the Palouse and its tributaries, the grass is also good, 
and there is a large quantity of pine. The pine on the Palouse is found 
eighteen miles from its mouth. Prom the Palouse to the Columbia, north 
of the Shake, the country is not so favorable. There is not much wood, 
nor much running water, and the grass is of an inferior quality. There 
is nothing but drift wood on the Columbia till you reach the mouth of 
the Wenatchepan, where the pine commences. 

Prom the mouth of the Palouse, and from the several crossings 
above, there is no difficulty in moving to the Spokane country all through 
the winter. The grass is uniformly good. There is abundant pine on the 
Spokane, and there will be wood for fires at all the intermediate camps 
on the route. The information here given of the country, is mainly the 
result of personal examinations. I can vouch for the accuracy of it all. 

I send you a map of the country from the Cascades to the Bitter 
Root mountains, showing the Indian tribes, their numbers, their warriors, 
the points these hostiles are now believed to occupy ; the several routes 
for the movement of troops from each ; the several crossings of the Snake 
river, and the winter snow line over which the Indians cannot cross when 


135 


pursued by troops, and the line within which troops can operate all 
through the winter. 

I will respectfully recommend that you will urge forward your prep¬ 
arations with all possible despatch. Get all your disposable force in this 
valley in all of January : establish a large depot camp here : occupy Fort 
Walla Walla and the Yakima country, and be ready early in February to 
take the field. 

February is generally a mild and open month. February and March 
are the favorable months for operations : all the mountain passes are 
stopped : the Indians are destitute of food : the rivers are easy to cross. 
In April the Indians can retreat in the Pend d’Oreille route to the east¬ 
ward of the mountains. In May the Coeur d’Alleines route is also open. 
The streams are swollen and the salmon begins to run. In June routes 
are abundant, and the streams most difficult to cross. If operations be 
vigorously prosecuted in February and March there is little probability 
of any of the tribes now peaceable taking part in the war. This is the 
conclusion to which I am brought by the recent council held by me with 
Indian tribes on the Spokane. 

I do not entertain the idea that all operations can be brought to a 
close in these two months. The strength of the combination can, how¬ 
ever, be broken, but the country should be held all through the ensuing 
year. 

As to transportation, I would urge that a line of barges be estab¬ 
lished on the Columbia. That supplies be hauled in wagons from the 
Dalles to the mouth of the Deschutes, and thence by water to Fort Walla 
Walla: thence to the Yakima country, (the mission ) to the crossing at 
the mouth of the Palouse, and to any point which may be selected in 
this valley as a depot camp, supplies can be hauled in wagons. The roads 
are all good. 

When operations are extended to the north of the Snake, and the 
north bank is held, a new depot camp can be established, and the water 
line extended. 

The Hudson’s Bay barge should be adopted, only be increased in 
size. The barge most commonly in use carries six thousand pounds, and 
requires seven men. But the great difficulty in the river is at the falls at 
the mouth of the Deschutes river, which is avoided by hauling in wagons: 
to above that point. A barge could be constructed which would carry 
twelve thousand pounds, require eight men, and make two round trips a 
month from the Deschutes to Fort Walla Walia. Supplies for five hundred 
men, say four pounds per day, including clothing, ammunition, &c., and for¬ 
age for five hundred animals, say twelve pounds to each animal per day, would 
require ten of these barges, eighty men, and about one hundred three 


136 


joke ox teams, running from the Dalles to the Deschutes. An ox team 
could not make more than three round trips from the Dalles to Fort Wal¬ 
la Walla in two months, and this would be more than ought reasonably 
to be expected. To transport the above amount of supplies and forage 
in wagons would require one hundred ox teams and one hundred men. 
Unless foraged on the road, oxen, after making one round trip, must have 
rest, and a large number of spare oxen must be at hand at both ends of 
the line to keep the teams constantly in motion. It will probably be very 
difficult to get early into the field so large a train. A pack train will be 
still more expensive; it will be wanted in advance. Supplies, in my judg¬ 
ment, will mostly have to be transported from the depot in this valley by 
pack trains. 

The Hudson’s Bay people at Fort Vancouver can put their hands on 
the men who understand making these barges. I estimate that five barges 
could be built at Portland, and be in readiness for the loads at the mouth 
of the Deschutes in twenty days, and five more in thirty days. It is a 
small matter to make them. 

I derive my information in regard to the barges from Mr. Sinclair, of 
the Hudson’s Bay Company, a gentleman of sound judgment and large 
experience, and most familiarly known to all the citizens of the Columbia 
valley. 

I believe it is practicable to run stern wheel steamers from the mouth 
of the Deschutes to above Walla Walla, and as far as the Priest’s rap¬ 
ids. But time will be required to get a suitable one on the route, and to 
establish wood yards. There is nothing but drift wood in the immediate 
banks of the Columbia below the mouth of the Wenatchepan. I would 
respectfully urge, however, that your early attention be given to this 
matter. 

The plan of campaign which occurs to me as possible, is as follows : 
occupy the Walla Walla valley in January : establish a large depot camp 
on the Touchet: hold Fort Walla Walla : get up supplies by a line of 
barges on the Columbia: have an advance post on the Tucanan, and 
pickets at the crossings of the Palouse, and opposite the bend of the 
Tucanan. This disposition of the troops will make you master of the 
Walla Walla valley, give you control of the crossings of the Snake, and 
enable you to get information of the enemy. In February, cross the 
Snake : attack the enemy on the Palouse : establish a depot camp at the 
first wood : occupy the forks of the Snake : astablish the line of barges 
up the Snake to the mouth of the Palouse, and push forward a column 
to the Okinakin. 

These operations will probably drive all the hostile Indians into the 
Yakima country, west of the Columbia river, when, move over the Co- 


137 


lumbia: cross into the Yakima country and put the enemy to his last 
battle. He cannot cross the mountains till May, and all the troops left 
behind at Fort Walla Walla, and at depot camps, except indispensable 
guards, marching up seasonably from Fort Walla Walla by the line of 
the Yakima river, would, with the movements of the column from north 
of the Snake, drive him into a canyon, from whence he could not easily 
escape. 

There will be no difficulty whatever, in making the crossing of the 
Snake. To the upper crossings canoes could be brought from the Nez 
Perces country. For the Palouse country, with a few tools, boats could 
be made in a few days on the Touehet, and be transported thither on 
wheels. My India rubber boats for the Indian service were unfortunately 
cut to pieces by the Indians at Fort Walla Walla. During the winter 
months the streams are low. 

The question occurs—Is this plan compatible- with the force at your 
command ? 

In my judgment three to four hundred effective troops will signally 
defeat any force which the enemy could bring together from the tribes 
now hostile. In my plan of operations, at Fort Walla Walla, at the de¬ 
pot camp of the valley, and to hold the river crossings, two hundred men 
would be required. If a smaller force were left it might tempt the Ya- 
kimas under Kamiakin to move rapidly into his own country, if not al¬ 
ready there, cross the Columbia, below the mouth of the Touehet, steal 
all the animals, and break up the communication. If very much reduced, 
he might successfully attempt an attack upon the troops. With two hun¬ 
dred men, I do not think he would attempt any thing on this side of the 
Columbia. The barges, in brigades of five each, manned by forty men, 
I do not think, with a small force on the Umatilla, would be in danger of 
attack. They could destroy all the canoes, and take from the enemy the 
means of crossing the river below Walla Walla. 

In the advance movement on the Palouse, there should be five hun¬ 
dred men. This whole force will be disposable for the first blow on the 
Palouse. Two hundred men will hold the line of the Snake, and three 
hundred will be left for the advance movement on the Columbia below 
Okinakin. 

When the enemy is driven into the Yakima country, from the depot 
camps north and south of the Snake, a strong column can be thrown 
across the Columbia at the mouth of the Snake, say two hundred men, 
which, with one hundred and fifty from the column moving towards Okin¬ 
akin, will give five hundred and fifty men. I would advise that one hun¬ 
dred and fifty men of that column be left to cut off retreat in any attempt 
to cross the river. 

18 


138 


111 the plan of the campaign, the troops are interspersed between 
the hostile tribes and the friendly ones, and they are brought to a firm 
stand, where there is scarcely a probability of escape. If the Yakima 
country were held simultaneously with this valley and with operations 
upon the Palouse, it might drive the enemy upon the Spokane, and thus 
cause them to embark on the river. The holding of the Yakima country 
would, however, effectually protect the line of the Columbia, and render 
it unnecessary to leave so large a force in this valley. But this plan 
would require more troops than the other. 

By the Walla Walla valley, in these papers, I mean the whole coun¬ 
try in the re-entering of the Snake. 

With a small post on the Umatilla, and the troops required at the 
Dalles, eight hundred effective men will be required. Making allow¬ 
ances for the sick list and for casualties, one thousand men should be in 
the field. There are here, or are on their way, five hundred volunteers 
from Oregon. I hear that you have, or will soon have, five to six hun¬ 
dred regulars. The volunteers with me have been mustered into the serv¬ 
ice of the territory for a specific duty, and will be discharged when I go 
down to the Dalles. On the Spokane I was able to learn nothing of the 
plans of the campaign, and only knew that Kamiakin, with all his forces, 
was believed to- be on the Spokane side of the Columbia river, and that 
the Cayuses and Walla Wallas were assembled, some six hundred warriors, 
in the Walla Walla valley. I expected at that time to be obliged to 
force my way through this body with my small force of less, at that time, 
than eighty men, aided by the Nez Perces, to the Dalles. The Nez 
Perces chiefs who accompanied me from the Blackfoot council, tendered 
to me the services of one hundred and fifty Sighting men of the nation, 
and it was not till 1 had been some time with them in Council in their 
own country making the necessary arrangements, that I learned of the 
defeat of these tribes, and that the road was opened. I took with me, 
however, seventy Nez Perces well armed, besides young men to herd and 
guard our animals. 


Olympia, W. T., Jan. 29, 1856. 

The above was written to be despatched by an express to you at 
Vancouver. I concluded, however, to come in person, and reached 
Vancouver the day you departed from Portland to San Prancisco. 

I have, since my return, carefully examined the condition of affairs 
on the Sound—have visited nearly every point, and informed myself thor¬ 
oughly of our necessities. 

We are now feeding four thousand Indians on the Sound alone. A 
band of hostiles numbering from two to four hundred, are in the field. 



13.9 


The whole country is exposed to attacks from them and the northern In 
dians. 

All our people are living in block-houses. The town of Seattle was 
attacked on the 26th instant, and the families compelled to go on ship¬ 
board. The whole of King county has been deserted, and the inhabit¬ 
ants driven within the line of defenses of the town of Seattle. We need 
at least six hundred troops to cope with the enemy, and the war will, I 
fear, from the nature of the country, be a protracted one. 

In conclusion, it is due to frankness, that I should state that I have 
determined to submit to the department the course taken by the military 
authorities in disbanding the troops raised in the territory of Washington 
for my relief. No effort was made, although tlie facts were presented 
both to Major General Wool and Major Raines, to send me assistance. 
The regular troops were all withdrawn into garrison, and I was left to 
make my way, the best I could, through tribes known to be hostile. It 
remains to be seen whether the commissioner, selected by the President 
to make treaties with Indians in the interior of the continent, is to be ig¬ 
nored, and his safety left to chance. 

I had no fear of my own safety, but the facts in the settlements did 
not warrant such belief. I simply, with fifty odd men, and one hundred 
and fifty Nez Perces, would have been compelled to fight six hundred In¬ 
dians in the Walla Walla valley, had it not been for the operations of the 
Oregon volunteers. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Superintendent Indian Affairs, W. T. 

N. B.—The map is not quite ready. I will send it to the post at 
Vancouver. 


[No. 63.] 

Head Quarters, Depm’t. of the Pacific, } 

Benicia, California, 12th February, 1856. ) 

To His Excellency, Isaac I. Stevens, 

Governor of Washington Territory : 
Sir :— I received your communication of the 23d of December, and 
29th January, 1856, on the 6th instant, but too late to reply to it by the 



140 


return steamer. For the information which it imparts you have my 
thanks. When you know my instructions to Colonel Wright of the 9th 
infantry at Vancouver, you will discover that many of your suggestions 
have been anticipated. In presenting, however, your plan of campaign, 
which is a very extended one, you should have recollected that I have 
neither the resources of a territory, nor the treasury of the United States, 
at my command. Still you may be assured that the war against the In¬ 
dians will be prosecuted with all the vigor, promptness and efficiency I am 
master of, at the same time without wasting unnecessarily, the means and 
resources at my disposal, by untimely and unproductive expeditions. With 
the additional force which recently arrived at Vancouver and at the 
Dalles, I think I shall b? able to bring the war to a close in a few months, 
provided the extermination of the Indians, which I do not approve of, 
is not determined on, and private war prevented, and the volunteers with¬ 
drawn from the Walla Walla country. 

Whilst I was in Oregon, it was reported to me that many citizens, 
with a due proportion of volunteers, and two newspapers, advocated the 
extermination of the Indians. This principle has been acted on in sev¬ 
eral instances without discriminating between enemies and friends, which 
has been the cause in southern Oregon, of sacrificing many innocent and 
worthy citizens. As in the case of Major Lupton and his party (volun¬ 
teers), who killed twenty-five Indians, eighteen of whom were women and 
children. These were friendly Indians on their way to the Indian reser¬ 
vation, where they expected protection from the whites. This barbarous 
act is the cause of the present contest in the Rogue river country, and, as 
Capt. Judah, U. S. A., reports, is retaliatory of the conduct of Major 
Lupton. 

By the same mail which brought me your communication, I received 
one, now before me, from a person, who I think incapable of misrepresenta¬ 
tion, whichinforms me that the friendly Cayuses are every day menaced with 
death by Governor Curry’s volunteers. The writer says :—“ They have 
despoiled these Indians, who have so nobly followed the advice of Mr. Pal¬ 
mer to remain faithful friends to the Americans, of their provisions.” 
“ To-day,” he says, “these same volunteers, without discipline and without 
orders, are not yet satisfied with rapine and injustice, and wish to take 
away the small remnant of animals and provisions left. Every day they 
run off the horses and cattle of the friendly Indians. These have been 
indignant, and will not be much longer restrained from resisting conduct 
so unworthy of the whites, who have made them so many promises to 
respect and protect them, if they remained faithful friends.” The writer 
further says—“if the volunteers are not arrested in their brigand actions, 
the Indians will save themselves by flying to the homes of their relations, 


141 


*ho Nez Perces, who have promised them help, and then all the Indians 
of Oregon and Washington would join in the common defence. This in¬ 
formation is in a great measure confirmed by persons who, I am assured, 
enjoy your respect and confidence.” 

I need not say, although 1 had previously instructed Col. Wright to 
take possession of the Walla Walla country at the earliest moment prac¬ 
ticable, that I directed him to give protection as soon as he could to the 
friendly Cayuses, from the depredations of the volunteers. It is such 
-conduct as here complained of, that irritates and greatly increases the 
ranks of the hostile tribes, and if the Nez Perces join in the war against 
us, which I hope to prevent, we shall require a much larger force than we 
now have in Oregon and Washington territories to resist savage barbari¬ 
ties and to protect the whites. 

I have recently sent to Puget Sound two companies of the ninth in¬ 
fantry. These, with the three companies there, will give a force of nearly 
or quite four hundred regulars, commanded by Lieut. Col. Casey. This 
force, with several ships of war in the Sound, to which will be added in a 
few days, the United States steamer Massachusetts, it seems to me, if 
rightly directed, ought to be sufficient to bring to terms two hundred In¬ 
dian warriors. Capt. Keys, in his last report received, says there are not 
quite two hundred in arms in that region. Lieut. Col. Casey has been di¬ 
rected to prosecute the war with the greatest vigilance and activity. The 
gallant Captain Swartwout, who goes in the Massachusetts, commander- 
in-chief of the naval forces in the Sound, will, I am assured, zealously, 
efficiently, and I trust successfully, co-operate with Col. Casey to bring 
the war to a close. 

In regard to the operations east of the Cascade mountains, if Gov. 
Curry’s volunteers have not driven the friendly Cayuses and the Nez Per¬ 
ces into the ranks of the hostile tribes, and they should be withdrawn 
from the Walla Walla country, I have great hopes that I shall be able 
to bring the Indians in that region to terms, notwithstanding the volun¬ 
teers killed the chief Peu-peu-mox-mox, scalped him, cut off his ears and 
hands, as reported by volunteers, and sent them to their friends in Oregon. 
All this too, after he met them with a flag of truce, declaring he “was 
for peace—that he did not wish to fight—that his people did not wish to 
fight,” and that if any of his young men had done wrong, he would make 
restitution, while he at the same time offered the volunteers cattle for 
food. Such conduct may have caused feelings difficult to overcome, I 
trust, however, I will be able to do it. 

As soon as $ie war is terminated east of the Cascade mountains, I 
will be able to send all my disposable forces against the Indians on Rogue 
river and Puget Sound. It is, however, due to truth to say, that at no 


142 


time were volunteers required, or iu any sense of the term necessary, for 
the defense of the inhabitants of Oregon from the depredations or bar¬ 
barities of Indians occupying the country east of the Cascade mountains. 
Nor was there any circumstance to justify Governor Curry in sending his 
troops from Oregon to Washington territory to make war on the Walla 
Wallas, from whom the Oregonians had no danger whatever to appre¬ 
hend. On this subject I would refer you to the report of the Secretary 
of War, dated the third of December, relating to the affairs of the army, 
in which he says “the department, at this distance, and in the absence of 
more definite information, especially in regard to the extent of the com¬ 
bination among the hostile tribes, cannot judge what volunteer reinforce¬ 
ments to the regular troops may be necessary. This is a matter which 
must be necessarily left to the military commander of the department of 
the Pacific.” 

At the conclusion of your communication, you say, “ it is due to 
“ frankness that I should state that I have determined to submit to the 
11 departmant the course taken by the military authorities in disbanding 
“ the troops raised in the territory of Washington for my relief. No ef- 
“ fort was made, although the facts were presented both to Major Gen. 
“ Wool, and Major Raines to send me assistance. The regular troops 
“ were all withdrawn into garrison, and I was left to make my way, the 
“ best I could, through tribes known to be hostile. It remains to be seen 
“ whether the commissioner, selected by the President to make treaties 
“ with Indians in the interior of the continent, is to be ignored and his 
“ safety left to chance. ” 

In your “frankness” and determination to represent me to the de¬ 
partment, I trust you will be governed by truth and truth only. Per¬ 
haps it is equally due to frankness on my part to say, that your commu¬ 
nication is the first that I have received in relation to yourself, or on any 
subject whatever, touching the Indian war, from any civil functionary, 
either in Washington or Oregon territories ; and I have received but one 
from the military, and that was from Col. Nesmith, who requested me to 
furnish him with two howitzers, which I refused. I have only to add that 
I disbanded no troops raised for your relief; and your communication 
gave me the first intelligence that any were raised for such a purpose. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) JOHN E. WOOL, 

^fajor General 


143 


[No. 64.] 

Executive Office, Territory Washington, ) 

Olympia, March 15, 1856. ) 

Major General John E. Wool, 

Commanding Pacific Division: 

Sir :— I hear this morning of your arrival in the territory of Wash¬ 
ington—of your having left Vancouver in a steamer for the Sound, and 
that you are now probably at Steilacoom. 

In the discharge of my responsibilities as the highest federal officer 
of the territory of Washington, and in view of my oath of office, I have 
called out a large force of volunteers, and a band of Indian auxiliaries, 
who are now actively engaging the enemy in the field. 

Actuated by no motive than the public good, I have endeavored to 
co-operate with the military and naval forces in the Sound, with the ob¬ 
ject that all and every available means of carrying on the war should be 
applied as a unit to its prosecution. 

I therefore send the Adjutant General of the volunteer forces, James 
Tilton, Esq., to confer with you. He is instructed to advise you of the 
plan of operations which I have adopted, the force in the field, and the 
condition of the country. I have to acquaint you of my desire to co-ope¬ 
rate with you in any plans you may think proper to adopt, and I shall 
be pleased to hear from you in reference to the prosecution of the cam¬ 
paign. 

I am, sir, with much respect, 

Your obedient servant,, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Sup’t. Indian Affairs, W. T. 


[No. 65.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, | 

Olympia, March 20th, 1856. ) 

Major General John E. Wool, 

Commaning Pacific Division: 

Sir :—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your commu¬ 
nication of the 12th February, and to state generally, in answer thereto, 



144 


that the events of the past four weeks, in connection with your own 
official course, affords satisfactory evidence that the most objectionable 
positions of your letter have been abandoned, and that you have finally 
become awakened to the true condition of the Indian war, and are seek¬ 
ing to make some amends for the unfortunate blunders of the past. You 
have probably learned how much you have been misled in your views of 
the operations by the Oregon volunteers, and how much unnecessary 
sympathy you have wasted on the infamous Peu-peu-mox-mox. For your 
own reputation I have felt pain at the statement made in your letter to 
me, for I am an authoritative witness in the case, and in the letter which 
submitted your own action in refusing to send me succor. I have pre¬ 
sented briefly the facts, showing the unmitigated hostility of that chief. 
I assert that I can prove, by incontrovertible evidence, that Peu-peu-mox- 
mox had been hostile for months—that he exerted his influence to effect a 
general combination of the tribes—that he plundered Walla-Walla and 
the settlers of the valley, distributing the spoils to his own and the neigh¬ 
boring tribes as war trophies—that he rejected the intercession of the 
friendly Nez Perces to continue peaceful—that he had sworn to take my 
life, and cut off my party—that he and the adjoining tribes of Oregon 
and Washington had taken up their military position as warriors at the 
proper points of the Walla-Walla valley—and all this before the volun¬ 
teers of Oregon moved upon him. 

Peu-peu-mox-mox was slain fairly. I have investigated that matter 
on the ground—having not only the testimony of the officers of the Ore¬ 
gon volunteers and the eye-witnesses of his death, but the testimony of 
the friendly Indians, both Cayuses and Nez Perces. He was not en¬ 
trapped by a flag of truce. I, of course, reprobate the indignities 
subsequently committed upon his person. 

Are you aware, sir, that the great victory achieved by the gallant 
volunteers of Oregon in the Walla-Walla valley was fought near the line 
separating the two territories, and that more of the Indians of Oregon 
were engaged in it than the Indians of Washington? Your letter would 
seem to show that you were ignorant of that fact. Where, sir, did you 
derive your information ? 

Half the Walla Wallas live permanently in Oregon: all the Uma- 
tillas, over one-half the Cayuses, all of the John Day’s, Deschutes and 
Tyh Indians. These were the Indians that met the volunteers of Oregon ; 
and all these Indians were, by an arrangement made between General 
Palmer and myself, under the charge of the Oregon agents. These In¬ 
dians were reinforced, after the first three days’ fight, by one hundred 
Pelouses, detached from the force under Kam-a-aikin. 

That some turbulent men of the Oregon volunteers have done injury 


to the friendly Cayuses, is unquestionable, and it is reprobated by the au¬ 
thorities and citizens of both territories, ft has, however, been grossly 
exaggerated. 

Had, sir, the regulars moved up to the Walla Walla valley, as I 
most earnestly urged both Major Raines and Col. Wright, both by letter 
and in person, these Indians would have been protected. They could not 
act, because they had no authority from you. The presence of a single 
company would have been sufficient. 

The responsibility, if evil follows, will attach sir, to you, as well as 
to the volunteers. The Nez Perces, though a portion live in Oregon, 
are, by the arrangement before referred to, between General Palmer and 
myself, all under my administrative charge, and, if left alone will con¬ 
tinue friendly. I have heard from them long since the friend to whom 
you allude. I have a staff officer in their country. They are organized 
for self-protection, and if your operations are conducted with ordinary 
judgment, not a man of them will join in the war. I have to refer you, 
sir, to my memoir for my views, which will be found to bear the test of 
experience, and I would advise you, sir, in considering that memoir, to 
bear in mind that, as regards the opinions of men who, with perhaps not 
very inferior abilities to your own, having greater special experience, and 
a knowledge of the country and the Indians, to which you cannot pre¬ 
tend, it will be prudent not to despise them. 

In your letter of the 12th January, you state—“ I have recently 
sent to Puget Sound two companies of the ninth infantry. These, with 
the three companies there, will give a force of nearly or quite four hun¬ 
dred regulars, commanded by Lieut. Col. Casey. This force, with several 
ships of war in the Sound, to which will be added in a few days, the 
United States steamer Massachusetts, it seems to me, if rightly directed, 
ought to be sufficient to bring to terms two hundred Indian warriors. 
Capt Keys, in his last report received, says there are not quite two hun¬ 
dred in arms in that region.” 

Here you have exposed a very confident opinion. You thought 
proper to quote Capt. Keys as to the number of Indians, but you found 
it did not suit your purpose to refer to the requisitions he had made upon 
you for six additional companies, two of which only had been sent for¬ 
ward ; nor could you find time to refer to the fact that Col. Casey had 
recommended, after the war was over, that eight companies should be 
permanently stationed for the protection of the Sound. 

You think volunteers entirely unnecessary, although, after having re¬ 
ceived from the executive information as to the condition of the country. 

It is now March, a month later, and you send two companies 
19 


146 


of regulars and direct Col. Casey to call upon me for two additional 
companies of volunteers. 

Thus have you practically acknowledged that you were wrong and 
that I was right, and thus have 1 given your testimony, as against your¬ 
self, in vindication of the necessity of my calling out volunteers. As re¬ 
gards this call for volunteers, it is presumed that Col. Casey informed 
you that the whole available force of the Sound territory was bearing 
arms, and that the great proportion of them were actively engaging the 
enemy. That, organized in two battalions, the northern battalion occu¬ 
pied the line of the Snohomish, where they were establishing blockhouses, 
and closing the passes of the Snoqualmie. 

That the central battalion was occupying the military road over the 
Nachess, in relation to which road and its military bearing, your aid-de- 
camp, Lieut. Arnold, will be able to give you full information, and that 
on both lines, decisive blows had been struck, and also that it was beyond 
the ability of our citizens to raise an additional company of even fifty 
men, to honor your requisition. 

I have a right to hold you to a full knowledge of our condition here. 
If you say you were misinformed, then you are not fit for your position, 
and should give place for a better man. If you were informed, then your 
measures as a military man, manifest an incapacity beyond example. 

Therefore, the call on me for two companies of volunteers, is a call 
upon me to withdraw the troops now in the field, with sixty to eighty 
days’ provisions, after decisive blows have been struck, and when every 
thing is ready to strike a, and perhaps the decisive blow to end the war. 

I am, sir, too old a soldier ever to abandon a well considered plan of 
campaign, or to do otherwise than to press forward with all my energies 
in the path marked out, promising, as it does, the speedy termination of 
the war ; and sir, I am too wary a man not to detect the snare that has 
been laid for me. You never expected, sir, that the requisition would be 
complied with. You knew that it was a practical impossibility ; but not 
having the courage to acknowledge your errors, it was resorted to in the 
hope that my refusing your requisition might enable you to occupy my 
vantage ground, and throw me on the defensive. I hold you, sir, to the 
facts and necessity of the case, clearly demonstrating, by your own con¬ 
fession, the propriety of my course, and the necessity, on my part, of a 
steady adherence to it. 

I enclose a copy of my letter to Lt. Col. Casey, in which my views 
in regard to this scheme of yours are given in full. 

You have referred to the atrocities committed upon the friendly In¬ 
dians by the whites. 1 know nothing of what has occurred in southern 
Oregon, but I have to state that no man, to my knowledge, in the terri- 


i 


147 


tory of Washington, advocates the extermination of the Indians. The 
authorities here have not only used every exertion to protect them, but 
then.’ exertions have been completely successful. Did you learn, sir, in 
your brief visit to the Sound, that nearly four thousand Indians, friendly 
Indians, had been moved from the war ground on the eastern shore of the 
Sound and its vicinity , to the adjacent islands, and have for nearly 
five months been living in charge of local agents? That not an Indian in 
the whole course of this war has been killed by the whites, except in 
battle? That where a military commission, composed of a majority of 
volunteer officers, tried some months since, eight Indians, only one was 
convicted, that the sentence of death, passed upon him, has not yet been 
executed? It is the good conduct of our people, sir, that has so strength¬ 
ened the hands of the authorities as to enable them to control these 
friendly Indians, and to prevent any considerable accessions to the ranks 
of the hostiles. 

And yet we have daily rumors, and have had for the last five months, 
that this tribe and that would break out. For, at times, great uneasiness 
here prevailed amongst them, and they are Indians, and as such, they sym¬ 
pathise with their brethren. But the course of the authoritirs here has 
been firm and decisive, commanding the confidence of the community, and 
the affections of the Indians. Besides these four thousand on reserva¬ 
tions in charge of local agents, we have three thousand more on the wes¬ 
tern shore of the Sound, and on the Straits of De Fuca. 

I have recently heard from the Nez Perces, the Cceur d’Aleines and 
the Spokanes. The former are firm in their allegiance, but the Spokanes 
urge me to have a military force on the great prairie between them and 
the hostile Indians, so these latter may not be driven to their country, 
and thus incite their young men to war. The letter of Garry, chief of 
the Spokanes, is a most plaintive and earnest call for help, so his hands 
may be strengthened in keeping his people to their plighted faith ; and 
the coincidence is remarkable, that this Indian chief, a white man in edu¬ 
cation and views in life, should ask me to do the very thing I have urged 
upon you, for you will remember in my memoir, I urge that the troops, in 
operating against the Indians, should be interposed between the friendly 
and hostile tribes to prevent those now friendly from joining in the war. 
I have, sir, studied the character of these Indians, and my views as to 
the influence upon the friendly Indians of the mode of carrying on the 
war against the hostiles, are confirmed by the only highly educated Indian 
of either Oregon or Washington, and the head chief of the tribe in refer¬ 
ence to which I made the recommendation and felt the most solicitude. 
Not a word has ever passed between us in reference to the subject. 

You are doubtless informed that the Indians have commenced offen 


148 


give operations east of the Cascades, and have attacked the steamer ply¬ 
ing between the Cascades and Dalles, and the trains moving towards 
Walla Walla. This bold course will enable them to operate upon the 
Spokanes, the Colvilles, the Okinekanes, the lower Pen d’Oreilles, the 
Coeur d’Aleines, who have five hundred warriors, and the tribes north of 
the line who have three to five hundred more. Unless struck east of the 
Cascades before the close of May, you will have to meet a combination of 
from eighteen hundred to two thousand warriors. Their families and 
stock will be in secure retreats in the mountains, and unless before that 
time, the Indians here are completely subdued, the passes over the mount¬ 
ains secured by blockhouses, it will be within the range of probabilities 
that a large portion of the friendly Indians on the Sound can be incited 
to hostility. The Clickatats and Yakimas know all the passes of the 
Cascades, and can readily cross after the month of May. Hence the ne¬ 
cessity of the most vigorous blows now, of no change of plan, of having 
troops in the settlements to guard against any sudden outbreak of the 
friendly Indians. Two men have recently been killed within fourteen 
miles of the capital of the territory, by a band of marauders, who have 
only been driven out within the last few days. 

It seems to me that the present condition of things imposes upon 
you the necessity of recognizing the services of the volunteers of the two 
territories now in the field, and of your doing every thing to facilitate 
their operations. But if you waste your exertions in the fruitless effort 
to induce either the authorities to withdraw their troops—to abandon their 
plan of campaign in order to comply with your requisition—or to meet 
your peculiar notions, I warn you, now, sir, that I, as the Governor of 
Washington, will cast upon you the whole responsibility of any difficul¬ 
ties which may arise in consequence, and that by my firm, steady and en¬ 
ergetic course, and by my determination to co-operate with the regular 
service, whatever may be the provocation to the contrary, I will vindi¬ 
cate the justice of my course and maintain my reputation as a faithful 
public servant. I warn you, sir, that unless your course is changed, you will, 
have difficulties in relation to which your only salvation will be the firm, 
and decided policy of the two territories, whose services you have ignored, 
whose people you have calumniated, and whose respect you have long 
since ceased to possess. 

You have erred in your judgment as to volunteers being needed at 
all here; and, as I have before observed, in calling for volunteers after 
increasing a force deemed by you sufficient, two companies, you have in¬ 
dicated the justice and necessity of my acts in organizing the people of 
the territory as its executive. 

I have thus, practically, your own endorsement that I have judged 


149 


rightly when you were in error, and my judgment having thus been sane 
tioned in calling out volunteers, I prefer to rely upon it in the matter, 
both of the numbers required and of the organization which will give 
them the most efficiency. 

Can you presume, sir, to be able to correct your opinions by a hasty 
visit to the Sound of a few days ? and do you expect, after having taken 
my deliberate course, that I shall change my plans on a simple intimation 
from you, without even a conference between us ? Were you desirous, 
sir, to harmonize the elements of strength on the Sound, you would have 
seen that it was your duty, at least to have informed me of your presence,, 
and to have invited me to a conference. There was ample time for it; 
for it was less difficult for me to reach you, on receiving notice, than Col 
Casey, and I have shown throughout the most anxious desire to co-operate 
with the regular service. 

Whilst in the country in the fall and winter, you complained that 
the authorities of the two territories did not communicate with you 
Why did you not inform me of your presence in the Sound on your arri¬ 
val at Steilacoom ? I learned of your probable arrival, by simply learn¬ 
ing on Saturday morning by my express, of your having left Vancouver, 
and I immediately dispatched the chief of my staff to wait upon you 
with a letter. But you were gone ; and whether you did not know the 
courtesy due to the civil authorities of the territory, who had taken the 
proper course to place themselves in relations with you, or whether yow 
were unwilling to meet a man, whose safety you had criminally neglected,, 
and wffiose general views you have been compelled to adopt, is a matter 
entirely immaterial to me. I enclose a copy of the letter transmitted by 
the hands of Adj’t. Gen. Tilton, the Surveyor General of Washington 
territory. 

After the defeat of the Indians in the Walla Walla valley, they 
were completely cowed, and for weeks, spies only crossed the Snake river 
to examine the country ; gradually becoming emboldened, they have since 
come over in small parties, and got some small successes in running off 
horses, and now they have more than recovered from the prestige of that 
defeat. They are making attacks on the whole line of communication, 
and are more firm and united, more hopeful, and have more strength 
than when the war commenced. 

What, sir, would have been the effect if Gov. Curry had not made 
the movement which you condemn, and my party, with the friendly Isez 
Perces, had been cut off ? Sir, there would have been a hurricane of war 
between the Cascades and Bitter Root, and three thousand warriors 
.would now be in arms. Every tribe would have joined, including the 


150 


Snakes, and the spirit of hostility would have spread east of the Bitter 
Root to the Upper Pend d’Oreilles. 

I believe, sir, I would have forced my way through the five or six 
hundred hostiles in the Walla Walla valley, with fifty odd white men 
and one hundred and fifty Nez Perces. Would you have expected it? 
Could the country expect it ? And what was the duty of those having 
forces at their command ? Gov. Curry sent his volunteers and defeated 
the enemy. You disbanded the company of Washington territory volun¬ 
teers raised expressly to be sent to my relief. 

I have reported your refusal to send me succor to the department of 
War, and have given some of the circumstances attending that refusal. 
The company was under the command of Capt. Wm. McKay. Before 
your arrival, there was a pledge that it should be mustered into the reg¬ 
ular service and sent to my assistance. Major Raines informs me that he 
did every thing in his power to induce you to send it on. Wm. McKay 
informs me that he called on you personally, and that you would do noth¬ 
ing. I am informed that your aid-de-camp, Lieut. Arnold, endeavored to 
get you to change your determination. What was your reply ? “ Gov. 

Stevens can take care of himself. Gov. Stevens will go down the Mis¬ 
souri. Gov. Stevens will get aid from Gen. Harney. If Gov. Stevens 
wants aid he will send for it.” These were your answers according to the 
changing humor of the moment. 

And now, sir, in view of your assertion that you disbanded no troops 
raised for my relief, and that my communication gave you the first intelli¬ 
gence that any were raised for that purpose, I would commend the chalice 
to your own lips, “That I trust you will be governed” hereafter “by the 
truth and the truth only.” 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor Territory Washington. 


[No. 66.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, \ 

Olympia, May 12th, 1856. ) 

Gen. John E. Wool, 

Commanding Pacific Division U. S. A., Benicia, Cal.: 
Sjr :—I have received a letter from your aid-de-camp, Lieut. Rich¬ 
ard Arpold, of the 4th April, returning to me with its enclosures, my 



151 


letter to you of the 20th March, and stating that it was done by your 
direction. 

It can only be construed as evincing a determination on your part to 
have no further official communication with the Executive of the territory 
of Washington, at the very time when, from the circumstances of the 
country, and the nature of their respective duties, there should and must 
often be such communications. 

It is a matter which is not to be decided by personal feeling, but of 
consideration of public duty, which alone should govern public acts. I 
shall, therefore, continue in my official capacity to communicate with the 
Major General commanding the department of the Pacific, whenever, in 
my judgment, duty and the paramount interests of the territory shall de¬ 
mand such communication to be made, casting upon that officer whatever 
responsibility before the country and his superiors, may attach to his refu¬ 
sal to receive said communications. My duty shall be done. Let oth¬ 
ers do their duty. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor of Washington Territory. 


[No. 61. J 


Executive Office, W. T., 

Olymha, Nov. 26, 1855. 


To the Ordnance Officer ok Quartermaster, 

San Francisco, Cal.: 

Sir ; —I have received advices from the Col. of the Ordnance at 
Washington City, that the quota of arms belonging to this territory had 
been ordered to be shipped to Olympia to the care of the Governor of 
the territory of Washington. 

The steamer “ California” arrived at Steilacoom yesterday, and I 
learned from Capt. Keyes, U. S. A., that these arms were brought up by 
the steamer, but for some unaccountable reason or mistake were all left 
at Fort Vancouver. 

The difficulties of transportation from that place by land arc almost 
insuperable and very expensive. 

Capt. Keyes having informed me that some steamer in the employ of 




152 


the U. S. would immediately return from San Francisco direct to Puget 
Sound, under the circumstances, I have to request that she be directed to 
.stop at Vancouver on her way up, and transport either to Steilacoom or 
Olympia, such an amount of these arms as may be delivered to her there 
by the proper authorized officer. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) * C. H. MASON, 

Acting Governor, W. T. 


[No. 68.] 

Executive Office, Ter. Washington, ) 
Olympia, Dec. 12th, 1855. ) 

Col. J. W. Ripley, 

Chief of Ordnance, Benicia Arsenal, Cal. : 

Sir :•—On the evening of the third of November on my return from 
the Dalles, information was received by me of a most serious Indian out¬ 
break on the White river prairies, in the Puget Sound district of this ter¬ 
ritory, which has assumed a very alarming aspect. Knowing well the 
defenceless state of the settlements and the absolute destitution of arms 
and ammunition, 1 at once made a requisition upon Theodore J. Eckerson, 
military storekeeper at Columbia barracks, for one hundred rifles and ac¬ 
coutrements, fifty muskets, and a supply of ammunition, which were 
promptly furnished. On my arrival at Olympia I learned that the exi¬ 
gency had been so great that the Adjutant General of the territory had 
dispatched a steamer to Victoria, on Vancouver’s Island, to procure arms 
and ammunition from Gov. Douglass. 

By the last mail from Columbia barracks, 1 received a letter from 
Mr. Eckerson, informing me that his action in this matter had been dis¬ 
approved by you, and that I must immediately replace those arms out of 
the territorial quota, in order to save his personal responsibility. This 
last I shall be enabled to do as soon as the arms arrive, by turning over 
the requisite amount to the commanding officer at Fort Steilacoom, the 
impassability of the roads between here and Columbia barracks rendering 
it impossible for me to send them to the latter place. 

I cannot but look upon the action of Mr. Eckerson as not only jus¬ 
tifiable, but worthy of the highest approval, issuing, as he did, arms upon 



153 


the representations and requisition of the Executive, whose office, of itself, 
would seem to indicate acquaintance with the state of affairs, especially 
at a time when assistance had to be called for from a foreign power. 

When the territorial arms were requested to be shipped to Olympia, 
peace and quiet reigned about us, and the capital of the territory was as¬ 
sumed to be the proper place from whence they should be distributed. 
Since then a disastrous change has taken place, and the distribution of 
them amongst the citizens is immediately called for. As I have above 
stated, it is impossible to transport freight from this place at the present 
season of the year to the Columbia river. 

I have, therefore, most earnestly to request that I may be allowed 
to turn over to the commanding officer at Fort Steilacoom an anlount 
sufficient to cover those furnished me by Mr. Eckerson, and, in addition 
to this, that Mr. Eckerson be allowed to issue, say eight hundred muskets, 
(of those sent by mistake to Columbia barracks) to George Gibbs, Brig¬ 
adier General of the Washington territory militia, now at Columbia bar¬ 
racks, for distribution on the Columbia river, and I will replace them in 
the same manner at Fort Steilacoom. I cannot too strongly assure you 
that the exigencies of the case not only require this, but that the danger 
is daily increasing. 

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) * C. H. MASON, 

Acting Governor, W. T. 


[No. 69.] 

San Francisco, February 2, 1856. 

His Excellency, Governor of Washington Territory, 

‘ Olympia, W. T.: 

Sir :— I have your favor of 12th December, 1855, concerning the 
issue of arms, &c., to Washington territory, by military storekeeper T. 
J. Eckerson, and requesting that a further issue may be ordered from him 
for the territorial troops on the Columbia river. 

With reference to the transfer of arms from the territory to Mr. 
Eckerson, it appears to me best, under all the circumstances, that you 
should retain all the arms which have been issued to the territory, rend¬ 
ering receipts to Capt, Stone for those issued by him, and to Mr. Ecker- 
20 



154 


son for those issued by him. The excess over the present quota can pro¬ 
bably be charged to the territory, to be deducted from future assignments, 
and I will recommend that this be approved by the chief of ordnance. 

With reference to your request that a further supply be ordered at 
Fort Steilacoom, I would state that the arrival of the 9th regiment, TJ. 
S. infantry on the Columbia river would seem to render unnecessary any 
further arming of the militia of that section ; and the emergency does 
not seem to me sufficient to justify my departing from law and regulations 
in the matter. 

Should emergencies arise, the commanding officers in the field have 
full authority to order the issue of arms to militia. 

Yery respectfully, I am 

Your Excellency’s obedient servant, 

(Signed,) JAS. W. RIPLEY, 

Lieut. Col. Ord. 


[No. 10.] 

Executive Office, Olympia, W. T., ) 

May 4th, 1356. j 

Col. Ripley, TJ. S. A., 

Chief of Ordnance Department, Pacific Coast: 

Sir — I have the honor to hereby request that two thousand pounds 
of rifle powder be furnished from the government stores of ammunition 
for the use of the inhabitants of Washington territory, to be distributed 
to such citizens as are now bearing arms against the hostile tribes inhab¬ 
iting the territory, and with whom the United States is at war. 

The reasons which are proper to state in support of this requisition 
are : ' 

1st. The two thousand muskets and rifles already provided by* the 
U. S. Government, and now in the hands of the militia of W. T., were 
not accompanied with any ammunition except percussion caps. 

2d. The fact is clear to all men here that the two thousand hostile 
Indians now in arms are unsubdued, and are capable of maintaining a war 
for many months more. 

3d. The six thousand Indians now upon reservations, or not openly 
at war, can only be kept from joining by fear, or a full knowledge of 
ample preparations on the part of the white settlers. 








155 


4th. The impoverished state of the inhabitants of Washington 
territory, now nearly exhausted by keeping on foot, and supplying with 
every thing needed in a campaign, one thousand men in the field, or occu¬ 
pying block houses for six months past, renders it almost impossible to 
procure ammunition from any sources of private credit. 

This requisition will be handed you by Lt. Col. Crosbie, aid, who is 
authorized to receive and receipt for such ordnance stores as you may 
furnish. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

fSignedJ ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor W. T. 


[Nd. U.] 


Benicia, Cal., May 29, 1855. 


His Excellency, Isaac I. Stevens, 

Governor Washington Territory, Olympia : 

Sir : —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 
the 4th instant, requesting “ that two thousand pounds of rifle powder be 
furnished from the government stores of ammunition for the use of the 
inhabitants of Washington territory,” and in reply have to say that I 
am not authorized to make the issue without authority from the com¬ 
manding General of the Pacific department. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) JAS. W. RIPLEY, 

Lieut. Col. Ord. 


[No. 72.] 


Head Quarters, Fort Vancouver, W. T. 

May 19, 1856. 


To His Excellency, Isaac I. Stevens, 

Governor of Washington : 

Sir : —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your commu- 




156 


liication of the 18tli instant, requesting me to approve your requisitions on 
the military storekeeper at this post for howitzers, rifles, ammunition, &c. 

In reply, I have to say that it will be impossible for me to grant the 
authority desired. v My instructions from the Major General commanding 
the department on the subject of issuing arms, &c., to troops not in the 
service of the United States, are positive, and I cannot depart from 
them. * * * * * * * 

In case of any descent upon this portion of the territory, my com¬ 
mand will do all in its power for the safety and protection of the citizens 
and property, and will co-operate with the troops of the territory as far 
as practicable. 

My command consists of one company, and a few recruits. A com¬ 
pany, of the 9th infantry left here on Thursday last to join the command 
of Colonel Wright. 

I am, sir, with much respect; 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) T. MORRIS,* 

Lt. Col. 4th Infantry, Com. Post. 

P. S.—It may be proper to state that there are no mountain how¬ 
itzers here for the use of the post, all having been forwarded some time 
since, to Fort Dalles, and I am informed by the ordnance officer that 
there are but rifles enough for the troops in the district. 


[No. 73-] 

Executive Office, Territory Washington, ) 

Olympia, Sept. 22, 1855. ’ ) 

Major G. J. Raines, 

Columbia Barracks, W. T : 

Sir :—I am informed by Col. J. P. Anderson, who has just returned 
from the Colville mines, that some outrages have been committed by the 
Yakima Indians upon the miners passing through their country. One 
man named Mattice, a resident of this place, is known by positive Indian 
testimony to have been murdered by four Indians of the band called 
“ Isle de Pierrie. ” Seven other individuals, who crossed the Nachess 
Pass, are reported by the Indians also to have been killed. These mur- 



157 


ders have taken place upon straggling parties of one, two, or three, and 
by the Yakima tribe and its branches. A son of Owhi, one of the prin¬ 
cipal chiefs of that tribe, is implicated in them. 

In addition to this, some twenty or thirty persons are known to have 
left this vicinity, in parties of from two to three, by the same route, and 
who are in danger of sharing the same fate. Under these circumstances 
I would suggest that a detachment of soldiers, sufficiently strong, should 
be despatched at once through the Yakima country as far as where the 
trail across the Nachess leaves for Colville, the object of which would be 
to discover the perpetrators of the murder of Mattice, to ascertain if the 
other murders had been committed, and to punish the guilty parties, and 
lastly, to furnish protection to the remaining portion of our citizens who 
are returning home. These reports may turn out to be without founda¬ 
tion. You, however, being on the more travelled route, will have earlier 
information than we can have here. 

Gov. Stevens is expected to be in the Spokane country during the 
present month, and a detachment of soldiers may be of assistance to him 
in furthering the public service he is at present engaged in. 

I deem it my duty to call your attention to the facts as reported by 
me. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

Your most ob’t. servant, 

("SignedJ C. H. MASON, 

Acting Governor W. T. 


[No. U.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, ) 

Olympia, Sept. 26th, 1855. f 

Major G. J. Raines, U. S. A., 

Fort Vancouver, W. T.: 

Sir :—Since my communication of 22d inst., I have received addi¬ 
tional information of outrages committed by the Yakima Indians. 

On the 14th September, two men, named Walker and Jameson, 
from Seattle, were shot dead from an ambush near the point where the 
Nachess trail crosses the Yakima, some thirty miles above the Altanam 
Mission. In addition to this, from all previous circumstances, there is 
strong probability of nine others having met a similar fate by the same 
hands. 



158 


This tribe and its kindred branches having entered into treaty stipu¬ 
lations with the United States to preserve amity with all American citi¬ 
zens, and in defiance of such obligations, having taken the first opportu¬ 
nity to cut off straggling parties, I immediately, upon the receipt of the 
last information, made a requisition upon Capt. M. Maloney, commanding 
Fort Steilacoom, for a detachment of the troops under his command, to 
proceed as soon as possible to the point in question, both to punish the 
Yakima tribe, and to furnish protection to such persons as may be travel¬ 
ling through that country. This requisition has been complied with, and 
on Thursday, (Sept. 27,) a detachment of forty men, with forty days’ 
provisions, will start, under command of Lieut. W. A. Slaughter. In 
order more fully to carry out the objects intended, and to effect perma¬ 
nent results, I have to request that the suggestion in my letter of Sep¬ 
tember 22d be carried out, and that a detachment of troops be sent either 
from Vancouver or the Dalles, as soon as possible, to co-operate with 
those sent from Steilacoom. 

I am, very truly, 

Your obedient servant, 

C. H. MASON, 

Acting Governor, W. T. 


[No. 75.] 

Head Quarters, Columbia River and Puget Sound DFt., \ 

Fort Vancouver, Sept. 26th, 1855. ’ ) 

C. H. Mason, Esq., 

Acting Governor Washington Territory : 

Sir :— I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of the 22d inst., 
and in reply, beg leave to state that, antecedently, I had obtained Col. 
J. P. Anderson’s information from another source, and forthwith for¬ 
warded an order to Lieut. Day, of the artillery, (supposed to be at Mc¬ 
Kay’s, on the Umatilla river, with forty-four mounted men) to enquire 
into the facts, with remarks—“ It is thought that at Walla Walla, or 
Brooks & Bumford’s place, there will be more facilities for information; if 
so, proceed there, and further if necessary, as the move in that direction 
for this purpose will have a good effect. ” 

The only real chiefs among the Indians whose influence is to be 



159 


dreaded, in that region, are Peu-peu-mox-mox of the Walla Wallas, and 
Kam-i-akin of the Yakimas, who can be communicated with at the first 
named place. 

This order was sent to the commanding officer at Fort Dalles to 
forward as soon as practicable, and we look for further information from 
Mr. Borland, understood to be en route among the Indians for this place. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

G. J. RAINES, 

Major 4th Infantry, Commanding. 


[No. 76.] 

Head Quarters, Columbia River and Puget Sound Dep’t., \ 
Fort Yancouver, W. T., Sept. 29th, 1855. ) 

His Excellency, C. H. Mason, 

Acting Governor W. T.: 

Governor :—Your letter by Mr. Pearson I have the honor to ac¬ 
knowledge, and have ordered into the field a company of eighty-four 
men from Fort Dalles, 0. T., all mounted, and with provisions on pack 
mules for one month, to proceed without delay and sweep through the 
Yakima country to the points you indicated, co-operating with the force 
from Steilacoom; also, to inquire into the safety of Agent Bolon, who 
has now been absent an unusual length of time ; a respectful attention to 
whose views is enjoined—if alive—for there are grounds to fear other¬ 
wise. 

I shall approve of the action of the commanding officer at Fort 
Steilacoom in the premises, and only regret that the forty men under Lt. 
Slaughter, were not a full company. I have also located an officer and 
twenty men at the Cascades. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

G. J. RAINES, 

Major 4th Infantry commanding. 



160 


Head Quarters Columbia River and Puget Sound Dist., | 
Fort Vancouver, October 9th, 1855. ) 

Hon. Chas. H. Mason, 

Acting Governor of W. T.: 

Sir :—Information has been received this day from Major G. 0 
Haller, who was ordered out into the Yakima country. He states that 
he met the enemy about 3 P. M., on the 6th inst, and fought them at 
skirmishing for some time. Finally charging them, he drove them out of 
the brush. From the nature of the country he was obliged to take pos¬ 
session of the heights surrounding the Pisco river for the night. He was 
surrounded, and in that position, has called for a re-inforeement. All 
the disposable force in the district will at once take the field, and I have 
the honor to make a requisition upon you for two companies of volun¬ 
teers, to take the field at the earliest poss ible moment. 

The composition of these companies to be as follows : One captain, 
one first lieutenant, and one second lieutenant, two musicians, four ser¬ 
geants, four corporals, and seventy-four privates. 

The greatest exertions should be made to raise and equip these com¬ 
panies at once. 

Orders have been sent to Capt. Maloney to take the field with all his 
disposable force, and it is expected that th e regulars and volunteers will 
act in concert. 

As soon as the first company is raised the command of regulars and 
volunteers should take the field with out waiting for the other company. 

This latter company can start out as soon as raised and equipped. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

G. J. RAINES, 

Major 4th Infantry commanding. 


[No. 78.] 

Executive Office, Ter. Washington, ] 
Olympia, Oct. 14th, 1855. ) 

Maj. G. J. Raines, 

Fort Vancouver: 

Sir :— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of 
Oct. 9th, and to state in reply, that agreeably to the request therein con¬ 
tained, I have called upon the people of the territory for two companies 






161 


of volunteers, one to report to the commanding officer at Vancouver and 
the other to the executive at this place. This last will, as soon as organ¬ 
ized, be ordered to report to Capt. Maloney, at Fort Steilacoom, and 
proceed into the field as soon as possible. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ' 
fSigned,) C. H. MASON, 

Acting Governor, W. T. 


[No. T9.] 

Executive Office, Olympia, W. T.,) 
October 14th, 1855. j 

Major G. J. Raines, 

Fort Vancouver, W. T.: 

Sir: — I have sent the bearer of this letter, R. M. Walker, Esq., 
executive clerk, to learn from you how far the volunteer company ordered 
to organize at Fort Vancouver can depend upon the post under your com¬ 
mand for arms, ammunition, &c. 

The scarcity of these munitions of war upon the Sound rendered 
it necessary for me to make a requisition both upon the U. S. Revenue 
Cutter “ Jefferson Davis , n the result of which I have not as yet ascer¬ 
tained. 

I sincerely trust that it will be in your power to furnish the necessary 
arms and acooutrements for the company directed to organize at Van¬ 
couver. Transportation and subsistence will, I suppose as a matter of 
course, be furnished them by the U. S. Quartermaster and Commissary. 
Any papers necessary to be receipted by me will be acted upon immedi¬ 
ately upon presentation. 

I am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

C. H. MASON, 

Acting Governor, W. T. 


21 



162 


[No. 80.] 

Head Quarters, Fort Vancouver, W. T., ) 
October 17th, 1855. ) 

Acting ‘Governor C. H. Mason, 

Olympia, W. T.: 

Sir :—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your two 
communications of the 14th inst. 

So soon as the company of volunteers from this county is organized 
and mustered into the service, it will be armed and equipped and furnished 
with subsistence and transportation. 

If I am correctly informed, a company will soon be organized, the 
members of which will be mostly men who are residing on claims within 
twenty miles of this post, and who, from their knowledge of the country, 
will be of very great assistance in thoroughly chastising the hostile Click- 
atats and Yakimas. 

I am, Governor, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant,. 

JNO. WITHERS, 

First Lieut. 4th Infantry, commanding post. 


[No. 81.] 

Fort Vancouver, W. T. Nov. 3d, 1855. 

Lieut. John Withers, U. S. A., 

Commanding Fort Vancouver : 

Sir :—I have instructed B. F. Shaw, Esq., to raise a company of 
rangers to proceed on the trail towards the Rocky mountains, and if 
possible, to bring in Governor Stevens in safety. Mr. Shaw has depu¬ 
ted Mr. Wm. McKay for the purpose. 

In case the company should be organized, and mustered into the ser¬ 
vice of the United States, I have to request that you will furnish them 
with all the necessary arms, ammunition, subsistence, transportation, &c., 
and despatch them as soon as possible on the route above indicated. 

Mr. Shaw is expected to have the direction of the company, either 
as a captain, or as special Indian agent. 

Very respectfully, yours, 

CHAS. H. MASON, 

Acting Governor W. T 



163 


[No. 82.] 

Roman Catholic Mission, Yakima, \ 
Camp No. 11, Monday, Nov. 12, 1855. ) 

Acting Governor C. H. Mason, 

Olympia, W. T. : 

Governor :—Here we are without a battle, except a skirmish four 
days since, with some forty Indians, who defied us as we approached the 
Yakima river. We thought at first it was the prelude to the big battle 
with the whole of their force, and forded the stream to an island with 
our mounted troops, eighteen dragoons and eight pioneers. Here we 
commenced the action, firing on the enemy, and ordered up our artillery 
and infantry to ford the stream. Our troops made a rush into the water, 
but being on foot, tried again and again to cross the river but failed, the 
rapid current sweeping away two of our best men, who were thus 
drowned; whereupon, I sent back to Col. Nesmith for two companies of 
volunteers, which, with our dragoons, drove headlong into the foaming 
torrent, and reaching the opposite shore, charged the enemy, who fled 
away over the hills, one of their balls striking, but fortunately not wound¬ 
ing, Col. Nesmith's horse. 

Late in the afternoon, after recalling all our force to the south bank 
of the Yakima river, we heard, some distance on the plain, the reports 
of small arms, (indication of a fight,) and taking two companies, we pro¬ 
ceeded in that direction until some time after night, when the firing ceas¬ 
ing, we returned back to the edge of the timber, and bivouacked for the 
night. Next day we found a number of Indians around us on swift hor¬ 
ses, which were driven off by our mounted volunteer companies, and as 
we approached the mountain gorge, found the Indians about three hun¬ 
dred in number on the hill tops beating their drums and shouting defi¬ 
ance. These were soon driven from their position and scattered by dis¬ 
charges from our howitzers. We cut off some of them by a proper dis¬ 
position of our troops, and two or more were killed. 

We continued our march to this place, sweeping the plains with our 
cavalry, dispersing, * killing and wounding all the enemy we saw, and 
found the mission abandoned, apparently precipitately. 

Capt. Maloney not having arrived in conjunction with Col. Nesmith 
(who went himseif in command) we despatched one hundred and sixty- 
eight volunteers and regulars, on our best horses, to proceed in the direc¬ 
tion of the Nachess pass, and ascertain his whereabouts. We are await¬ 
ing their report, for we cannot tell where the large body of the enemy is, 
dinless gone that way to attack Capt. Maloney's command. 


164 


Our force has alarmed the enemy so much that they may be scat¬ 
tered. 


Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

G. J. RAINES, 

Major U. S. Army, and Brig. Gen. W. T. V. 


[No. 83.] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, April 2d, 1856. 


Col. Geo. Wright, 

Commanding 9th Infantry : 

Sir :— I have respectfully to suggest the propriety of a thorough 
understanding between the regular and volunteer service, so their joint 
efforts may be applied to the protection of the settlements and the prose¬ 
cution of the war. 

The recent attack on the Cascades must convince all persons that 
this is no time for forms, but for vigorous, energetic and united action. 

We have the worst country in the world for summer operations. 
The Indians, basing their operations on the mountain region about Reg- 
nier, St. Helens and Adams, a region affording inexhaustible quantities 
of food, numerous and inaccessible retreats, can defy the utmost energies 
of a vastly superior force to do ought else than protect the settlements. 

We are now rapidly approaching that condition of things, and it 
becomes a paramount duty to prepare for it. 

Not only in my judgment is the present force in the field, both reg¬ 
ulars and volunteers, inadequate, but it should be strengthened, and that 
rapidly, or the force of Oregon Volunteers will be left to contend single 
handed against a vastly superior force. 

I am now raising an additional company in Lewis county for the 
protection of the people, and to watch the passes in that quarter. A 
company has already been raised in Clarke county which will, if practic¬ 
able, be mounted. 

The effect, in that settled portion of the territory ought to be to 
keep the farmers on their claims. In Clarke county, I learn the inhabit 
ants have gone to Vancouver and St. Helens. 




165 

There should be blockhouses on the Washoogle settlement and on 
Lewis river. 

I therefore propose to apply the company raised in Clarke county in 
ranging duty, and every effort will be made to induce the settlers to re¬ 
turn to their farms and secure themselves by blockhouses. 

I am most anxious so to arrange my operations that no force need 
be thrown away, and I will ask you to communicate with me and make 
such suggestions as may seem to you appropriate. 

I am sir, very respectfully, 

Yout most obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor W. T. 


[No. 84.] *• 

Head Quarters, Northern Dist., Dep. of the Pacific, ) 

• Fort Vancouver, W. T., April 10th, 1856. ) 

Governor I. I. Stevens, 

Olympia, W. T.: 

Governor :—I have this moment received your communication of 
the 2d inst., and in reply, have to say, that I am now using all the force 
at my disposal for the protection of the settlements, and in restoring con¬ 
fidence to the farmers east, west, and north of us. In the first place, I 
am erecting block houses at either extremity of the Cascades portage ; 
they will be completed in a few days. I have also organized a detach¬ 
ment of mounted infantry under an enterprising officer, to range over the 
whole country and afford protection to the farmers. The panic is subsi¬ 
ding : the people are now beginning to return to their vocations, all they 
require is union among themselves, and the knowledge of the fact that 
scouting parties are constantly moving over the country. 

The temporary success the enemy met with at the Cascades, has not 
given him confidence ; my sudden return and total dispersion of all the 
Indians at that point, with the loss of twelve or fifteen of their warriors, 
with all of their baggage and animals, will have convinced them that 
they are safe only in their mountain retreats. The unfortunate affair at 
the Cascades, it is hoped, may rouse our people to the necessity of having 
their arms always with them ; had such been the case, many valuable 
lives might have been spared. 



166 


We must keep an eye on the f riendly Indians. 1 am well satisfied 
that they knew full well at the Cascades that an attack was to be made, 
and that many of them joined the hostile party. However, I have given 
them a lesson which they will long remember. Ten of those Indians, 
including their chief, have been hung by sentence of a military commis¬ 
sion. The residue, some forty men, and seventy or eighty women and 
children have been placed on an island without any means of leaving it, 
and under the observation of troops. As soon as our lines of communi¬ 
cation are well secured, and quiet and confidence established in the set¬ 
tlements, I shall be prepared to advance into the country of the Yakimas. 

A strong post must be established in the heart of that country. It 
will not do to march through an Indian country simply ; we should make 
them understand that we are going to make a permanent settlement with 
them. Break up their fisheries, and harrass them constantly, in order 
that they shall have no time for laying in a supply of food. By this 
course, I think they may be brought to terms, perhaps not until next 
\jinter ; it is only a question of time, it must be accomplished in the end. 

I return immediately to the Cascades. 

With great respect, I have the honor to be, 

Your obedient servant, • 

G. WRIGHT, 

Col. 9th Infantry, commanding. 


[ Extract. ] 

[No. 85.] 

Executive Office, W. T., ) 

Olympia, April 24th, 1856. ) 

Col. Geo. Wright, 

Commanding Columbia River District: 

Sir * * * * * * * 

My object in addressing you is to ascertain whether it is a point of 
your plan of campaign soon to occupy the Walla Walla country. Should 
the Oregon volunteers be disbanded, and the Walla Walla not be occu¬ 
pied, my train will require a considerable escort. 

In this event, will you furnish me with an escort of one company on 
my requisition ? 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor Territory Washington, 



167 


[No. 86.] 

Head Quarters, Northern Dist. Dep’t. of the Pacific, ) 
Camp at Ft. Dalles, O. T., April 27, 1856. j 

Gov. Isaac I. Stevens, 

Olympia, W. T.: 

Governor : — Your communication of the 24th instant has this mo¬ 
ment reached me ; and in reply, I have to say, that it forms no part of 
my present plan of campaign to occupy the Walla Walla country. I 
cross the Columbia river to-morrow morning with five companies, and 
march into the heart of the Yakima country, with the hope of termina¬ 
ting the war in that quarter at an early date. 

The expedition to the Walla Walla has been deferred for the pres¬ 
ent, as we are assured that the Indians in that district, and on the Snake 
river are peaceably inclined. It has been deemed advisabled to operate 
with a strong force in the Yakima country. 

Your communication has been forwarded to the Major General com¬ 
manding the department, for his action in the matter. 

With great respect, I have the honor to be, 

Your most obedient servant, 

G. WRIGHT, 

Col. 9th Infantry commanding. 


[No. 87.1 

Executive Office, Olympia, ) 

May 8th, 1856. ) 

Col. G. Wright, 

Commanding Northern District: 

Sir: —Your favor of the 21th instant reached me last evening 
My object in writing is to state, that my information in regard to the In 
dians in the Walla Walla and on the Snake river is that they are deter¬ 
mined to prosecute the war. 

This was the declaration made by the prominent chiefs of the Cay- 
uses to the express of Mr. McDonald some weeks since. This is the 
opinion of my agent in the Nez Perces country, and of the Nez Perces 
chiefs, and it would seem to be indicated by the recent attack by the In„ 
dians on the volunteers at the Umatilla. 



168 


I have therefore thought it my duty to communicate these views, 
and I will suggest that you receive with great caution any information of 
their peaceable intentions, to the end that you may not be thrown off 
your guard. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS,' 

Governor of Washington Territory. 


[No. 88.1 

[ EXTRACT.. ] 

Dalles, 0. T. June 18th, 1856. 

Col. G. Wright, 

Com. Northern District, Camp on Nachess, W. T.: 

Sir* * * * * * * 

Lieut. Col. Shaw, on Thursday last, (June 12th) marched from 
camp Montgomery over the Nachess. It is supposed he will camp on 
the Wenass to-night. His orders are to co-operate with you in removing 
the seat of war from the base of the mountains to the interior, and for 
reasons affecting the close of the war on the Sound obvious to all persons. 

He will then push to the Walla Walla valley, crossing the Colum¬ 
bia at Fort Walla Walla. 

The supplies and escort for the Walla Walla will move from the 
Dalles on Friday morning. 

The Walla Walla valley must be occupied immediately to prevent 
the extension of the war into the interior. 

Kam-i-akin has, since your arrival on the Nachess, made every exer¬ 
tion to induce the tribes thus far friendly to join in the war. He has 
flattered the Spokanes, where he was on the 25th of May, and has en¬ 
deavored to browbeat the Nez Perces. The Spokanes have answered in 
the negative, and the Nez Perces will, I am satisfied, continue friendly. 

I am ready, as the superintendent of Indian affairs, to take charge 
of any Indians that may be reported by yourself as having changed their 
condition from hostility to peace. 

And in this connection, I will remark, that I have been informed of 
your views in reference to the Oregon superintendent taking charge of 
certain Indians of my jurisdiction, those at Vancouver and those recently 



169 


sent in by you. I am ready to agree to any arrangement which may be 
for the good of the Indians. ***** 

From all I can gather, I presume your views and my own do not 
differ as to the terms which should be allowed the Indians, viz : uncon¬ 
ditional submission, and the rendering up of murderers and instigators of 
the war to punishment. 

I will, however, respectfully put you on your guard in reference to 
Leschi, Nelson, Kitsap and Qui-e-muth from the Sound, and to suggest 
that no arrangement be made which shall save their necks from the excu- 
tioner. * * * * * * * 

I am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,; ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

L.: .Governor W. T. 


[No. 89.] 

Executive Office, Territory Washington, ] 

Olympia, Aug. 3d, 1856. ) 

Col. G. Wright, 

9th Inf. Com. Northern District Yakima country : 

Sir :—The volunteer force under the command of Lt. Col. B. F. Shaw, 
has struck the hostile Indians a severe blow in the Grande Ronde, where 
they had collected to the number of some four hundred warriors. The 
Indians were completely routed, and engaged in a running fight for 
sixteen miles, in which forty of them were killed. Three hundred of their 
horses, one hundred and fifty packs of provisions, and a considerable 
quantity of ammunition were also captured. The battle took place on 
the llth July. On the 15th and 16th Major Layton and Capt. Goff, 
with their commands, defeated another portion of the hostile Indians on 
the head waters of Burnt river. 

By late advices I learn that a large majority of the Nez Perces are 
very restless and disposed to assume a hostile attitude. I do not, how¬ 
ever, think they will immediately break out into open hostility to the 
whites, but prompt measures are necessary to prevent it. 

I will, in a few days, go in person to the interior, and much desire 
that you should go with me. I will suggest that you at once send a force 
22 




170 


including all your mounted men, say three companies, to occupy the Walia 
Walla valley. 

My object in visiting the interior is a general pacification of the In¬ 
dian tribes. I am advised that the Spokanes are friendly. 

I will be at the Dalles Thursday, August 14th, and am desirous, at 
all events, to meet you at that point to confer with you in reference to- 
the Yakimas ; and I again express the hope that you will go to Walla 
Walla. 

1 am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

( Signed,^ ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Sup. Indian Affairs, W. T. 


[No. 90,] 

Head Quarters* Columbia River District, > 
Fort Dalles, O. T., October 4th, 1856. ) 

Gov. I. I. Stevens, 

Gov. and Sup. Indian Affairs, W. T.: 

Governor :—I had the honor to receive sometime since, your com¬ 
munication of the 19th August, making a requisition on me for the de¬ 
livery of Leschi, Nelson , Qui-e-muth , Kitsap and St chi, with the view of 
their being sent to the Sound, to be tried by the civil authority. 

I delayed action on the subject, expecting your speedy return from 
Walla Walla, when I was anxious to have a personal interview with you. 

You know the circumstances under which the Indians referred to 
were permitted to come in and remain with the friendly Yakimas. Al¬ 
though I have made no promises that they should not be held to account 
for their former acts, yet, in the present unsettled state of our Indian rela¬ 
tions, I think it would be unwise to seize them, and transport them for 
trial. I would, therefore, respectfully suggest that the delivery of the 
Indians be suspended for the present. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

G. WRIGHT, 

Col. 9th Infantry commanding. 



171 


[No. 91.] 

Dalles, O. T., October 4th, 1856 

Col. G. Wright, 

Col. Commanding River district: 

Sir—I have received your letter of this date, in answer to my re¬ 
quisition for the delivery of Leschi, Nelson, Qui-e-muth, Kitsap and 
Stehi, to be sent to the Sound to be tried by the civil authority. 

These men are notorious murderers, and committed their acts of atro¬ 
city under circumstances of treachery and blood-thirstiness almost beyond 
example. All belong to bands with whom treaties have been made, and 
in the case of all, except Nelson, the treaty has been sanctioned by the 
Senate, and the execution of the treaty has been placed in my hand. 

Whether a treaty has been made or not, I am of opinion that men 
guilty of such acts should be at least tried, and if convicted, punished, 
more especially should this be done in cases where, by treaty stipulations, 
provision is made for the punishment of such offences. 

If the condition of things is so unsettled in the Yakima that the 
seizing of these men, after such arrangements as to time, &c., as necessa¬ 
rily comes within the discretion of the force making the seizure, will lead 
to war, the sooner the war commences the better. Nothing, in my judg¬ 
ment, will be gained by a temporising policy. 

The war commenced on our part in consequence of the attempt to 
arrest the murderers of Bolon, Mattice, and others, on the requisition of 
the Acting Governor of Washington territory. If this demand is not 
inflexibly insisted upon, and peace is made on milder terms, it will be, it 
seems to me, a criminal abandonment of the great duty of protecting our 
citizens, will depreciate our standing with the Indians, and pave the way 
for wars hereafter. 

I must, therefore, again respectfully make requisition for the delivery 
of the Indians mentioned, in order that they may be sent to the Sound to 
be tried by the civil court. The particular mode and the special time of 
making the seizure rests with your discretion. 

I shall send special agent Shaw to the Yakima to take charge of the 
Indians you have officially reported to me to be friendly, and of Indians 
that I propose to incorporate with them. 

He will have instructions not under "any ’ circumstances to receive 
these Indians on the reservation. 

I am, very truly, 

Your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 
Governor and Superintendent Indian Affairs. 


172 


[JS r o. 92.] 

Head Quarters W. T. Volunteers, ) 

Fort Mason, Walla Walla, Aug. 25th, 1856. ) 

Lieut. Col. Steptoe, 

9th Inf. Com. Expedition to Walla Walla : 

My Dear Sir :—On my arrival at this place on the 28d, I found a 
messenger from the Nez Perce country who brought letters from Indian 
agent William Craig to Lieut. Col. Shaw, stating that the Nez Perces 
would all attend the council. In the evening another messenger came 
with information that the Cayuse and Umatilla chiefs all desired to come 
in, if advised to do so by Looking Glass. 

My reply was that I should be glad to see Kam-i-akin, provided he 
would come in and submit himself unconditionally to the justice and 
mercy of the government. 

I must wait a few days before I can judge as to what will be the 
result of the council in reference to the hostiles. 

The main object of the council, which was to strengthen and con¬ 
firm the Nez Perces and Spokanes in their friendship, will unquestionably 
be accomplished. 

The terms of service of the volunteers will all expire on the 8th 
September, and that of one company on the 30th of this month. They 
number one hundred and fifty-six, officers and men. I have asked them 
to remain till the council was concluded and the valley was occupied by 
the regular troops, to which they have very willingly assented. 

From present appearances, I do not think the council can be opened 
till next week and perhaps not till the middle of the week. I particu¬ 
larly desire your presence, and that of at least a portion of your com¬ 
mand during the council. The trains can move easily from the Dalles to 
this point in eleven days, but as you will move, I suppose, by Fort Walla 
Walla, and be detained there perhaps two days in crossing over the troops 
from the Yakima, I presume you will be fourteen days on the march. 

I will ask, however, that you place your troops somewhere in the 
general vicinity of the council ground, till the council is through. My 
object is to show the Indians the strength of our people a<nd the unity of 
our councils. 

We are twenty-five miles from Fort Walla Walla, five miles from 
the Whitman valley, and about seven miles from the saw mill claim of 
Whitman on Mill creek. We are on a little tributary of Mill creek, and 
about one mile from it. 


Drop me a line by the return express, and let me know how you are 
getting on. 

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor, W. T. 


[No. 93.] 

Willow Creek, Aug. 28, 1856. 

My Dear Sir :—I received your letter by the courier, and was 
gratified to perceive that matters were likely to be so satisfactory to you. 

You will notice where I am with my train, and can better judge 
than I can, what time must elapse before I will reach the Walla Walla. 
If it shall appear that Capt. Russell cannot cross the Columbia without 
the boat waggons with me, I may be obliged to diverge and meet him at 
the crossing ; it is probable, however, that he will find canoes and get 
across without any aid from me, in which event, I will be happy to attend 
the council. 

Very truely yours, 

(Signed,) E. J. STEPTOE. 


[No. 94.] 

Council Ground, Walla Walla Valley, W. T., ) 

Sunday, August 31, 1856. j 

Lieut. E. J. Steptoe, 

9th Inf. Com. expedition to Walla Walla: 

My Dear Sir :—Your letter of the 28th by John Dunn has been 
received. 

The Nez Perces are coming in. The advance, about thirty men, 
reached this place with Craig. The whole nation has crossed Snake river, 
.and will be here Wednesday, Sept. 3d. An express reached me last eve- 




174 


ning from the Spokane. Father Ravalli of the Coeur d’Alene mission, 
has gone in person through the tribes in this quarter, inviting them in my 
name, to the council. 

But I do not expect a single Indian of the hostiles, belonging to the 
tribes struck by Shaw in the Grande Ronde at the council. The Cayuses, 
excepting those who separated last fall, are completely under the control 
of the young men. Certain chiefs desire to come in, but dare not leave, 
and the hostiles have recently received a great encouragement. 

On Thursday, Scott’s pack train, consisting of fourteen men, with 
the necessary animals, having thirty-three pack loads of supplies for the 
troops and Indians, and escorted by a force of twenty-five volunteers, un¬ 
der Lieut. Gates, was attacked within fifteen miles and almost in sight 
of this camp, about 9 o’clock, Thursday morning, and, after a contest, 
which lasted the whole day, the whole train was captured—the party es¬ 
caping in the night with simply their riding horses. The affair will be 
bad in its effects upon the Cayuse, Walla Walla, and tribes thence in the 
direction of the Dalles. ***** 

“ And I will ask you to use every exertion to get here as soon as 
possible, for I want the benefit of the occupation of the valley, by your 
troops at the opening of the council. 

I have just sent an express to the Columbia, with a letter to Russell 
offering to send him a wagon boat if he should not find canoes, and I 
have asked him in the event of his orders authorising him so to do, to 
come at once to the general vicinity of the council ground.” 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Superintendent. 


[No. 95.] 


Head Quarters W. T. V. 
Walla Walla Valley, W. T., Aug. 31st, 1856. 


Capt. Russell, 

En route from the Yakima : 

Sir :— I send to-day an express to Lieut. Col. Steptoe, who, it is 
supposed, will camp on the Umatilla at Fort Henrietta to-night. He was 
/on Willow creek Thursday night, three marches from the Umatilla. 





175 


The Col. wrote me, stating that you would probably be able to effect 
a crossing with canoes. I have one boat waggon here which I will send 
down to you if you need it. 

The Nez Perces are on their way to the council, the whole tribe, 
men, women and children. Their advance got here last evening. The 
remainder will be here on Wednesday. I expect a representation of the 
friendly tribes in, and in the neighborhood of, the Spokane. 

The Nez Perces Indian-who carries this is to be relied on, 

and send back word by him, whether it will be consistent with your ord¬ 
ers to move immediately with the troops under your command to the vi¬ 
cinity of the council. 

We are about tw'enty-five miles from Fort Walla Walla, and about 
five miles above the Whitman valley. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor W. T. 

N. B.—An express is just in from Steptoe. He camped last night 
on Butter creek (ten miles from Umatilla) and will probably camp on 
the Umatilla to-night. It is probable ho may, however, remain in camp 
to-day, though I think not. 


[No. 96.] 

Head Quarters, W. T. V., ) 

Walla Walla Valley, W. T., Sept. 4th, 1856. j 

Captain D. A. Russell, 

4th Infantry, U. S. A., on the Columbia : 

Sir: —Your letter of the 2d reached me in the night, and I send 
down my waggon boat with an escort of twenty men, and with orders to 
reftch you in the night. 

Your letter to Col. Steptoe I forwarded to him by express this 
morning. An Indian express just in brings me information that Col, 




176 


Steptoe will camp to-night at Wild Horse creek, and will descend into the 
valley on Friday. 

We expect the Nez Ferces at our camp to-morrow. 

I am, sir, with much respect, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Superintendent. 


[No. 91.1 


Camp on Wild Horse Creek, 
September 4th, 1856. 


Gov. Stevens, &c. : 

My Dear Sir :—I received your note 6f yesterday by the two Nez 
Perces Indians a few moments since. Accept my thanks for the kind 
offer of the boat waggon. 

The heavy rain of yesterday detained me on the Umatilla. I 
marched despite of it but had to go into camp after an hour or so. But 
to-morrow afternoon no doubt will find me in your neighborhood. 

My purpose is to select a suitable spot for a camp where my whole 
command will be left till I can determine where to establish the perma¬ 
nent post, or at all events, where we can best winter. I shall, therefore, 
take the road to Whitman’s in the morning. 

Very truely yours, 

(Signed,) E. J. STEPTOE. 


[No. 98.] 

Council Ground, Walla Walla Valley, W. T., 1 
September 10th, 1856. ) 

Col. E; J. Steptoe, 

Sir :—I have the honor to make requisition for the presence on the 
council ground of two companies, and including your mountain howitzers. 

I have especially to request that this force shall be on the ground 
to-night. 

The Cayuses have all come in, and it is important in ray opinion, as 




177 


all the volunteers leave to-morrow morning to be discharged, there should 
be a force on the ground to control them. 

Respectfully yours, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Superintendent. 


[No. 99.] 

Camp on Mill Creek, ) 

Sept. 10, 1856. j 

Governor Stevens, &c.: 

Sir :—Your communication of this day has just been received. I 
regret that it did not reach me earlier in the day, or rather night, (for it 
is now nearly 9 o’clock at night ) in which event, I might have made some 
such arrangement as you suggest. I do not think it advisable to move 
down my command, or the part of it you request, at this hour. The 
effect of it upon the Indians could not fail to be startling, I am induced 
to believe. More than that, I have not the shadow of a doubt that the 
Cayuses are decided to conduct themselves properly at the council. If 
you had informed me this morning that you desired the presence of my 
command I would have encamped near you to-night; as it is, I am now 
some seven or eight miles beyond you. 

It is necessary for my train to start back to the Dalles in the morn¬ 
ing, and I have occupation very constantly for the dragoons in one way 
or another—all which leaves me but a small force to prepare and guard 
my winter camp. 

My advice (if you will permit the liberty) is that the couucil busi¬ 
ness be adjourned, so far as possible, to some more convenient time. It is 
plain that I shall not have the force you desire to despatch to the council 
ground, nor any force to remain there long. And permit me to say that 
my instructions from Gen. Wool do not authorize me to make any arrange¬ 
ment, whatever, of the kind you wish. Pardon me for writing so much, 
but the fact is, my position is one which seems to compel a lengthy ex¬ 
planation. In short, if I thought you were in the least danger, I would 
not hesitate to move down at once the whole of my force ; as it is, I can 
not accede to your request. 

In haste, very truely and respectfully, 

E. J. STEPTOE, 

Brevet Col. U. S. A. 


23 



178 


l no. loo.] 

(confidential.) 

Council Ground, Walla Walla Yaley, W. T., > 
Sept. 18th, 1856. J 

Lieut. Cql. E. J. Steptoe: 

My Dear Sir :—The council did not adjourn yesterday till near 
sundown, too late for me to visit your camp. I understand the feelings 
of the Indians from what was developed yesterday. 

The want of a military force on the council ground seriously embar¬ 
rassed me, (I have retained for a day some fifty of Golfs company,) but 
having called the council in good faith as the Indian superintendent and 
also, as the commissioner to treat with the Indian tribes by the appoint¬ 
ment of the President, I shall go through with the duty I have under¬ 
taken. 

One half of the Nez Perces and all the other tribes, except a very 
few persons, are unmistakeably hostile in feeling. The Cayuses, the Walla 
Wallas and the other hostiles were so when they came in. Hence the 
requisition I made upon you for troops. 

I particularly desire you to be present to-day, if your duties will 
permit, and I will also state that I think a company of your troops is 
essential to the security of my camp. 

I shall, as I said, go through with this business whatever be the con¬ 
sequences as regards my own personal safety, but I regard it to be my 
duty to the public, to the Indians, and to my own character. 

This communication is marked “ confidential, ” but is intended as an 
official communication, and will go on my files as such, only I do not think 
it prudent, that my judgment as to the aspect of affairs, should at this 
time be disclosed to any other person than yourself. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

Your most eb’t. servant, 

( Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Superintendent. 


[No. 101..] 


Camp on Mill Creek, W T., ) 

Sept. 13th, 1856. \ 


Governor :—I have received your communication of to-day, and 
regret extremely that you think a company of my troops to be “essential 
to the safety ” of your camp. 



179 


In a previous communication I suggested that if you distrusted the 
safety of your position, the council might be adjourned to a more conve¬ 
nient time and place. 

As you know, my camp for the winter is in preparation ; the train 
has been unloaded and sent back to the Dalles, and much valuable prop¬ 
erty, which cannot be now removed, lies on my camp ground. If the In¬ 
dians are, therefore, really meditating an outbreak, it will be difficult for 
me to provide for the defence of my own camp —impossible to defend both 
camps. Under these circumstances, if you are resolved to go on with 
your council, does it not seem more reasonable that you shall, move your 
camp to the vicinity of mine ? 

I send down the company of dragoons to bring you up to this place 
if you desire to come. 

Allow me to say that your request for troops embarrasses me fully 
as much as you can be by their absence from your council ground. My 
force is so small, that, to be efficient against the large number of 
savages in the neighborhood, it must be concentrated, nor can I detach 
any portion of it, in execution of certain instructions received from Gen. 
Wool, while the Indian host remain so near to me. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) E. J. STEPTOE, 

Brevet Lieut. Col. U. S. A. 


[No. 102.] 


Camp, Sept. 19, 1856. 


Gov. Stevens, &c., 

Council Ground: 

Governor :—I have just received your note asking that the dra¬ 
goons be sent to your aid. 

Now, the Cay uses have burned all the grass near me, I shall have to 
send my animals quite a distance for grass, and if I send the dragoons to 
you I shall be unable to herd them. Besides that, the company could not 
return to me for some time, and the Indians would probably turn all their 
attention to the few men left with me. I have no block houses, and 
shall expect to be annoyed much. 



180 


Under these circumstances, do you not think 1 had better use your 
train and move with you to the Umatilla, or some point beyond, where 
you would be safe from molestation, and I could find grass abundant? If 
I had my train I would not hesitate a moment, but would join you in 
the morning with my whole command rather than part with the only 
mouuted men I have. What do you think of returning to this camp to¬ 
night or in the morning , taking my baggage up in your waggons, and our 
moving off together ? Let me hear from you by Richard. I cannot 
help thinking that if you abandon (burn up) your old waggons, you can 
easily get through with your pack animals ; but what think you of my 
plan of going together ? 

Yours, in haste, 

(Signed,) E. J. STEPTOE, 

I could probably send you Fletcher’s company, with most ease, but 
I think it is best for both of us that you loose a day and take up our 
baggage. 

Lt. Col. E. J. STEPTOE. 


[No. 103.] 

Executive Office, Olympia, ) 

Sept. 24th, 1855. ) 

Capt. M. Maloney, 

Commanding Fort Steilacoom, W. T.: 

Sir : — Positive information has been received by me that three 
American citizens have been murdered by the Yakima Indians on the 
eastern side of the Cascade mountains, whilst travelling towards the Fort 
Colville mines. There is also strong probability that nine others have 
perished in a similar manner and by the same hands. 

In addition to this, there are at present in and about that vicinity, 
some thirty other persons, either going to, or returning from the mines, 
who are in danger of sharing the same fate. 

This tribe, on the ninth day of June last, entered into treaty stipula¬ 
tions with the United States, ceding their lands, and binding themselves 
to amity with all citizens of the United States. In defiance, however, of 




181 


these obligations, they have taken the first opportunity to murder strag¬ 
gling parties that have travelled through their country. 

Under these circumstances, I have to request that a detachment of 
the troops under your command may be despatched at the earliest mo¬ 
ment to the Yakima country to administer punishment to that tribe, and 
to furnish protection to such citizens as may be remaining there. 

I am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

C. H. MASON, 

Acting Governor, W. T. 


[No. 104.] 

Executive Office, Ter. Washington, ) 
Olympia, Oct. 15th, 1855. j 

Capt. M. Maloney, 

Commanding Fort Steilacoom : 

Sir :—In compliance with the request of Major G. J. Raines, I have 
called upon the people of this territory for two companies of volunteers 
to co-operate with the regular troops already in, and about to be sent 
into the field. 

Owing to the scarcity of arms in the territory, I have to request 
that you will forward to me as soon as possible at Olympia, all the mus¬ 
kets and accoutrements that can be spared from Fort Steilacoom. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

[Signed,) C. H. MASON, 

Acting Governor, W. T. 


[No. 105.] 

Camp on Nachess River, ) 
Oct. 29th, 1855. J 

Major G. J. Raines, 

Fort Vancouver, W. T.: 

Major :—In accordance with orders which I received from you, I 
joined, with the available troops at Steilacoom, amounting to seventy-five 




182 


men, at the earliest possible moment, the 21st of this month, Lieutenant 
Slaughter’s command, which had fallen back to the White river prairies. 
I remained there two days, until I was joined by a company of volun¬ 
teers under command of Capt. Hays, on the 24th. I commenced my 
march for the Yakima country, expecting to find you in the field. Yes¬ 
terday I arrived at this camp, when I laid over to-day to recruit my ani¬ 
mals. I received an express to-day from Steilacoom from which I get in¬ 
formation that you will not be on your march for from one to two weeks. 
I have also got information that there are from two to three thousand 
Indians well armed and determined to fight, in my front, and, after consid¬ 
ering the matter over, have concluded that it is my duty to return to 
Steilacoom. My reasons are as follows, viz : my force is not sufficiently 
strong to fight them and protect the animals and provisions which I have 
along with me ; secondly, if I advance I must meet them, as there is no 
point before me before I get into the plains, where I can camp and defend 
myself and animals, where I will not be cut off from communication, both 
in front and rear by high water, before you can get into the enemy’s 
country ; thirdly, in accordance with your orders I started with thirty 
days’ provisions ; I have been out twelve days, and therefore have only 
eighteen days’ provisions, which would be out before my command could 
join yours. There is already snow upon the mountains, and there is every 
reason to believe that in three or four days it will close the road 
from here to Steilacoom, and also raise the Nachess river, so that it will 
prevent communication between this place and the Yakima plains. 

I am of opinion that the best way to get the troops from Steilacoom 
into the enemy’s country will be by way of the Dalles. 

I also learn from the same express that the northern Indians are 
showing themselves in considerable numbers at Steilacoom and other points 
on the Sound, intending, with other Indians, to strike a blow in case I 
should be defeated here. 

I am, Major, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) M. MALONEY, 

Capt. 4th Inf. Com. Detachment. 



183 


[No. 106.1 


Fort Steilacoom, W. T. 
Oct. 30th, 8 o’clock, a. m., 1855. 


Hon. C. H. Mason, 

Acting Governor W. T.: 

Sir : — I have just received an express from Capt. Sterrett, com¬ 
manding “ Decatur, ” informing me that the Indians on White river have 
broken out, and that seven whites and two Indians have been murdered. 
Amongst the whites were one or two women. 

On Sunday, the 28th, fifty-five men under the command of Captain 
C. C. Hewitt, went up the Dewamish en route for the White river coun¬ 
try. 

A rumor came in here last evening, (brought by one of the rangers 
and friendly Indians) to the effect that McAllister and nine others of the 
rangers were killed last night on the Puyallup, and that the Indians are 
advancing towards this post 250 strong. I am unable to say how true 
this is, but fear it is but too true. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) JOHN NUGEN, 

2d Lieut. 4th Infantry. 


[No. 101.] 


Fort Steilacoom, W. T., 
Oct. 31st, 1855. 


James Tilton, 

Adj’t. Gen. W. T. Volunteers : 

Sir : _I have the honor to state that I have called upon the citizens 

of Pierce county for one company of volunteers to act against the Indi¬ 
ans on White river and vicinity, who have been murdering our citizens, 
and attacked the company of rangers under Captain Eaton, mustered into 
the service of the United States. 

This call has been promptly responded to, and a company of forty 
are now ready to take the field, under the command of Capt. Wallace r 
who will report to you for orders. 



184 


I wish you would come down to our post, as I think your presence 
would expedite matters. I trust you will succeed in getting another com¬ 
pany In your place, as I am of the opinion that no less than one hundred 
men should think of taking the field, they to act together, and the work 
will speedily be finished. I trust the acting Governor will approve of 
my action, as I could see no other way to maintain the peace of our 
country. 

I am sir, very respectfully, 

Yout most obedient servant, 

(Signed,) JOHN NUGEN, 

2d Lieut. 4th Inf. Com. Post. 


[No. 108.] 


Head Quarters, Port Steilacoom, 
November 1st, 1855. 


James Tilton, 

Adj’t. Gen. W. T. Volunteers, Olympia: 

Sir :— I have detained Capt. Wallace’s company of volunteers to 
assist in protecting this post in case an attack should be made. Dr. Tol- 
mie, just in from Nisqually, informs me that one of his shepherds saw a 
band of some twenty Klickatats just in rear of Nisqually last night. 

I have nearly all the women and children in the county at the post, 
and will of course protect them. 

I would respectfully request that all the men in this section of the 
country be called out, as I am firmly of the belief that we are to have a 
general Indian war in this vicinity. 

Send me down cartridges at the earliest moment, as it is reported the 
Indians are to make an attempt at taking our fort to-night. This is only 
a report, but I wish to have plenty of ammunition, and I am rather short 
just at this time. 

With great respect, I have the honor to be, 

Your most obedient servant, 

JOHN NUGEN, 

2d Lieut. 4th Inf. Com. Post. 



185 


[No. 109.] 


Fort Steilacoom, W. T., 1 

Nov. 12, 1855. j 

James Tilton, 

Adj’t. Gen. W. T. Volunteers : 

Sir :—I have just received an express from Capt. Maloney. I send 
you a copy of his letter to Major Raines. 

The following men composed the express : Mr. Bright, Jos. Miles, 
A. B. Moses, Tidd, Bradley, Dr. Burns, and Rabbeson, your sheriff. 
The express was ambuscaded near White river, and Miles killed and 
Moses mortally wounded and left in the woods. 

I sent Capt. Wallace with his company to open communications 
with Capt. Maloney, who will reach White river to-night, and I fear small 
parties will be coming in from his camp to-morrow. Capt. Wallace will 
make a forced march, and reach Capt. Maloney before day light, if he 
has good luck. 

Hurry up the rangers, so that there may be short work of this mat¬ 
ter. You had better let Mrs. Moses know this sad news yonrself. If 
he is still alive Capt. Wallace will rescue him. 

Very respectfully, yours, 

(Signed,) " JOHN NUGEN, 

Lt. 4th Inf. Com. Post. 


[No. 110.] 


Fort Steilacoom, W. T., 
Nov. 4th, 6 P. M., 1855. 


James Tilton, 

Adj’t. Gen. W. T. V., Olympia: 

Sir :—I have just received an express from Capt. Maloney, inform¬ 
ing me that Lieut. Slaughter, with fifty regulars, and Capt. Hays, with 
fifty volunteers, had met the Indians yesterday about 8 a. m. They had 
taken a position on the right bank of the river, and opposed the troops 
crossing. The river was too high to ford, and the Indians, behind logs 
24 


-:-n 



186 


firing, so the fight became general, and lasted until about 4 p. m., thirty 
Indians killed, and no telling how many wounded, as they were carried to 
the rear. Slaughter had some men posted on a hill in rear of his posi¬ 
tion, where they could see and count every Indian who fell. Slaughter 
killed one, and Lieut. Harrison killed two. 

Our loss, one soldier killed, who was falling a tree in order to cross 
the stream ; one soldier wounded severely, and one volunteer wounded. 

To-day they had one hundred and fifty men to hunt them up. They 
will have hard work to keep out of the way of the troops. 

Col. Moses’ body was found, and Capt. Maloney says he wiil bring 
it in when he returns. Miles’ body was found to-day. 

* * * * * # * 


Mr. Tidd carries an express to the Columbia river. If you can ex¬ 
pedite his movements please do so. Capt. Wallace joined Capt. Maloney 
yesterday, and the rangers left here to-day, and will join him probably 
to-morrow. 


Yours timely, 


JOHN NUGEN, 
Lt. 4th Inf. Com. Post. 


[No. 111.] 


Camp Connells, on White River, 
November 6, 1855. 


Hon. Chas. H. Mason, 

Acting Governor of W. T. : 

Sir :—I have the honor to inform you of my whereabouts. I ar¬ 
rived here on the 2d, found Connell’s place burned down, searched all 
around, and found Lieut. McAllister’s body about one mile from this 
farm. I knew that the Indians must have been close at hand, and next 
morning, having got on their trail, Capt. Hays and Lieut. Slaughter 
started after them to a crossing of White river, where the Indians were 
found on the opposite side of the river. They opened fire on us. One of 
my company fell dead. The fire was returned by the command, both 
regulars and volunteers, from nine o’clock till three o’clock P. M. They 
had the advantage of the ground, but still there were over thirty killed, 



187 


and I don’t know how many wounded. We could not cross the river on 
that day. Next day I started a command after them, and found them 
on the opposite side of Green river j they showed but little fight. We 
had two wounded ; I can’t say how many Indians were wounded. 

The rivers are so high the Indians have the advantage of us, but 
still I think we can clean a good many of them out yet before we close 
the winter’s campaign. 

Capt. Hay’s company, I consider, deserves my warmest praise. A 
better company could not be brought into the field to act against Indians. 
I have always found them ready and active at any moment, and they 
have my most hearty thanks, both officers and men, and hereafter you 
will be informed of those most gallant, but at present I can say nothing, 
for they are all gallant. 

I am sorry Mr. Bright had to run such risks, but at the same time 
I am glad he escaped. I hope he has not suffered much. Poor Moses 
and Miles ! I sent their bodies to the Fort with directions to have cof¬ 
fins made. I suppose you will have them taken to their friends. 

What do you think of my falling back ? I had orders from Major 
Raines to proceed to the Yakima country to unite with the troops at the 
Catholic mission. If I had not fallen back, what would have become of 
the Sound country ? If I had fallen back two days sooner, the murders 
would not have taken place. I have informed Major Raines that I can¬ 
not spare one man from this section of country. 

Capt. Wallace reported yesterday, and Captain Eaton to-day. Capt. 
Eaton will, I believe, be of good service. 

Slaughter and Hays have just returned. Slaughter, in crossing the 
Puyallup, was fired on, and three men mortally wounded—the guide, Ed¬ 
gar, a man by the name of Parsons, and one soldier, also one soldier 
slightly wounded. The Indians lay in ambush, and always have the first 
fire. 

Very truely yours, 


M. MALONEY. 


188 


[No. 112.] 


Fort Steilacoom, W. T., 
Nov. 9, 1855. 


James Tilton, 

Adj’t. Gen. W. T. V., Olympia : 

Sir :—I send you a letter received from Capt. Maloney’s camp last 
evening. The troops had another running fight with the Indians on the 
4th inst. This brush took place on Green river. The Indians took ad¬ 
vantage of the thick brush to fire on the advance guard, after which 
they would run. 

In the affair Edgar was mortally wounded, also, a soldier named 
Kellet, and a packer named Perharn. Andrew Birge and two soldiers 
severely wounded. 

The Indians on the lower Puyallup have broken out, so there is more 
work. 

Capt. Maloney’s pack train is coming in, and will reach this post 
to-day. The train brings the remains of Moses, Miles, and McAllister. 
I wish to know whether the bodies are to be sent to Olympia or to be 
intered here. Let me know by return of express. 

Capt. Wallace’s company comes in with the pack train. 

A company of seventeon men, under Capt. Carson, raised here, 
started yesterday for the ower Puyallup. 

Very truely yours, 

(Signed,) ’ JOHN NUGEN. 


[No. 113.] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, Nov. 24th, 1855. 


f 


Capt. E. D. Keyes, 

Commanding Fort Steilacoom : 

Sir :—Owing to the great scarcity of arms, ammunition, accoutre¬ 
ments, and ordnance stores in general, as well as the lack of subsistence, 



189 


in this territory, I have to request that, as far as you can possibly do so, 
you will furnish the volunteer force now in the field west of the Cascade 
mountains. 


ith great respect, I have the honor to be, 

Your obedient servant, 

CHAS. H. MASON, 
Acting Governor W. T. 


[No. 114.] 

Head Quarters Puget Sound District, ) 
Fort Steilacoom, Nov. 26, 1855. j 

Capt. Gilmore Hays, 

Com. Co. “ B,” W. T. Volunteers : 

Sir :—You are hereby directed to proceed with your company, and 
examine the country on the upper Nesqually, with a view to ascertain 
whether any hostile Indians have taken refuge in that section of the ter¬ 
ritory. 

Having completed that duty, you will proceed to the south, in the 
direction of the Skookum Chuck, examining the country along the base 
of the mountains, and particularly any trail that may be found leading to 
the eastward in the direction of the mountains, or to the southward in 
the direcfion of the Cowlitz river. 

If, after exhausting the rations which will be furnised your command, 
you deem it necessary to remain any longer in that section, you will send 
your train to this post for more provisions. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

E. D. KEYES, 

Captain 3d Artillery, Commanding Post 


(Signed,) 



190 


[No. 115.] 

Head Quarters, Puget Sound District, ) 
Fort Steilacoom, Dec. 4th, 1855. ) 

Acting Governor C. H. Mason, 

Olympia, W. T. : 

Sir :—In order that I may be able to acquaint myself more inti¬ 
mately with Indian affairs in this part of the territory, I take the liberty 
to request that you will forward to me a list of the sub-Indian agents on 
this side the mountains, their several stations, and the number of Indians 
they each have in charge. It will also be of service to me if those agents 
could be instructed to report to me all changes that may occur at their 
several posts. 

Dr. Tolmie, of the Hudson’s Bay company, has applied to me for a 
guard of soldiers to protect his stores at Fort Nesqually. As our pack 
animals are small in number, and nearly broken down, and as the rivers 
are getting high that we cannot ford them with supplies, it may be nec¬ 
essary to withdraw the troops from the field in a short time, and to dis¬ 
tribute them at such points as may most need, and such as have the best 
claims to protection. In view of such a state of things, and of the case 
in all its relations, do you think it advisable for me to send a guard to 
Fort Nisqually. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) E. D. KEYES, 

Capt. 3d Artillery, Commanding. 


Note. —The information asked for in the foregoing letter of Capt. 
E. D. Keyes was furnished him by acting Governor C. H. Mason, in his 
letter, dated Dec, 6, 1855. 



191 


[No. 116.] 


Head Quarters, Puget Sound District, 
Fort Steilacoom, W. T., Dec. 7, 1855, (6 p. si.) 


>') 


Acting Governor C. H. Mason, 


Olympia, W. T.: 


Sir : —I have just received information that on Tuesday night last 
while Lieut. Slaughter was sitting in a small house at his camp, about two 
and a half miles above the forks of White and Green rivers, conversing 
with Capt. Hewett, Lieut. Harrison, and Dr. Taylor, the Indians fired on 
them and killed Lt. Slaughter at the first discharge. Two soldiers were 
also killed on the spot, and five others wounded, of whom one is since 
dead. Lieut. Slaughter’s body has arrived here. 

It is reported on all hands that it is impossible to operate against 
the Indians with any effect in the country on the White, Green, and Pu¬ 
yallup rivers, at this season of the year, and I know it to be so from per¬ 
sonal observation. To continue such a course will break down all our 
men and effect no harm to the Indians. Our pack animals are broken 
down, and we must establish our forces on our own ground in places 
where they will not suffer at night, and where they can best protect the 
settlers. As you must be far better acquainted with such points, I would 
request that, if convenient, you will come and see me to-morrow. 

I send by the bearer a letter to Capt. Hays, with directions for him 
to concentrate his company at Bradley’s, to go to the relief of forty men 
now encamped on the other side of the Puyallup, about three miles from 
the ford. I do not know where Capt. Hays is at this moment. If you 
know please direct the bearer. 

Mrs. Slaughter is at Olympia. Please keep the dreadful new r s of 
her husband’s death a secret, until Lieut. Nugen can break it to her cau¬ 
tiously. 


I am sir, very respectfully, 

Yout most obedient servant, 


f 


(Signed,) 


E. D. KEYES, 

Captain 3d Artillery, Commanding. 


192 


[No. 117.] 

Head Quarters, Puget Sound Distict, ) 
Fort Steilacoom, W. T., Jan. 4, 1856. ) 

Hon. C. H. Mason, 

Acting Governor, W. T.: 

Sir :—In answer to your letter of the 3d inst., I have the honor to 
reply that I have no authority to direct Capt. Henness in regard to the 
enlistment of men in his company. 

When I assumed command of this department, the 24th of Novem¬ 
ber, I found that four companies had been mustered into the service of 
the United States by you and Capt. Maloney, 4th infantry, and, owing to 
the apparent necessity for their services, I concluded to issue to them such 
supplies as could be spared from the public stores. The ammunition and 
clothing at this post is now so much reduced that I cannot possibly spare 
any more to the volunteers, and the amount of provisions on hand is not 
more than enough for six weeks issue to the regular troops. Under such 
circumstances, therefore, I feel myself called on to notify your Excellency 
that, at the expiration of the first three months’ service of the volunteers, 
I shall not be able to make further issues to them. There is no law, nor 
have I any instructions to authorize me to assume command of, or to fur¬ 
nish supplies to the volunteers in this territory. Their service being abso¬ 
lutely requisite, I assumed the responsibility of giving them orders and 
furnishing them with supplies until definite instructions could be sent me 
from my superior officers. No such instructions have been received, and 
I am, therefore, obliged to inform you that, as matters stand, I cannot 
continue my connection with the volunteers after the expiration of the 
first three months of their service. The W. T. volunteers have first rate 
capacity for service, and if they should be retained on duty, it will afford 
me great pleasure to act in concert with them. 

Will you please to send me by the return of the express the date of 
the commencement of the service of the several companies. The follow¬ 
ing is the regulation on that point: 

“ The date of the enrollment in the caption and one of the columns, 
“ will be that of the day of arrival of the company with organization 
“ complete or full at the place of general rendezvous, in compliance with 
“ orders from the proper authority, but not prior to the day specified in 
4t the order, which date of enrollment will he the commencement of the term 
“ of service and of pnhlie supplies , unless otherwise specially ordered, 
“ without regard to the date of muster, or that of previous company or- 
u ganization.” 


193 


In case of necessity, I wish yon to understand that I will share the 
last thing I have with the volunteers. ' 

I am, sir, with much respect, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) E. D. KEYES, 

Capt. 3d Artillery, Commanding. 


[No. 118.1 


Executive Office, W. T., 

Olympia, Jan. 5th, 1856. 


} 


Capt. E. D. KeyeS, 

Com. Puget Sound Dist., Fort Steilacoom : 

Sir :—Your letter of the 4th instant, has been received. I am 
somewhat doubtful as to our being able to furnish supplies to the volun- 
, teer forces that have mustered into the service, without your assistance. 
They will, therefore, be discharged at the termination of their three 
months. 

The commencement of the service of the various companies is as 
follows : 

Co. B, Capt. Gilmore Hays, Oct. 14, 1855. 

“ H, “ C. C. Hewitt, “ 25, “ 

“ F, “ B. L. Henness, Nov. 1, “ 

“ I), “ W. H. Wallace, “ 3, “ 

These companies were not organized, as you are aware, under any 
particular law or regulation, but from the necessity of the case. The 
above are, therefore, the dates of their reporting to me for duty. 

I highly appreciate the compliment you pay to our citizen soldiery, 
and your willingness to co-operate with such volunteer forces as may be 
called into the field. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

1 (Signed,) ' C. H. MASON, 

Acting Governor W. T. 


25 



194 


[No. 119.] 

Executive Office, Territory Washington, j 
Olympia, Jan. 6th, (11 a. m.,) 1856. } 


Capt. E. D. Keyes, 

Fort Steilacoom: 

Sir :—A small band of Indians have just arrived from the reserve 
in charge of A. J. Simmons, Esq. 

They bring the intelligence that last night Leschi and thirty-eight 
of his Indians were at the reserve in charge of Dr. "Webber, and have 
Mr. Swan tied—that to-night they will come to Mr. Simmon’s reserve for 
a similar purpose—that the balance of the hostile Indians, one hundred 
in number, are on the watch on the Nisqually plains. This information 
is brought by Indian “ John,” who was out with Lieut. Slaughter. He 
urther states that the Puyallup Indians, in charge of Dr. Webber, are 
going to leave the reservation to-night and go up the river. 

A force of thirty men will leave here to-day for Mr. Simmon’s res¬ 
ervation to endeavor to catch the hostile Indians if they come. 

You, of course, will take such steps as you deem necessary in your 
direction, and if possible, endeavor to cut off the retreat up the Puy¬ 
allup. 

The reservation of A. J. Simmons is on an island eleven miles north 
of west of Olympia. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

fSigned,) C. H. MASON, 

Acting Governor, W. T. 


[No. 120.] 


Head Quarters, Puget Sound District, 
Fort Steilacoom, Jan. 6th, (3 p. m.J 1856. 


Hon. C. H. Mason, 

Acting Governor W. T.: 

Sir :—Your note of 11, a. m., to-day, is this moment received. 1 
received the same information it conveys, concerning Dr. Webber’s re- 




195 


serve, last night at GJ o’clock, p. m. I immediately sent a dispatch to 
Capt. Gansevoort of the “ Decatur, ” to request him to send up as many 
boats as he could spare. Afterwards I sent an express to Dr. Tolmie, 
requesting him to send the steamer “ Beaver ” to Steilacoom, which he 
kindly complied with. Capt. Maloney with thirty men, left in the “ Bea¬ 
ver ” at daylight this morning for the reserve, and possibly they may cap¬ 
ture Lcschi’s canoes and prevent the departure of the Puyallups. I am 
waiting for news with the utmost anxiety. At nine o’clock this morning, 
a canoe full of Indians left the reserve, saying Leschi and his band were 
still there, and that Mr. Swan was not tied, but that Leschi was going 
to carry him off for his secretary. 

The “ Active ” is reported this moment to be in sight, and I am go¬ 
ing over in her myself. 

Leschi, will probably take to the woods, and if he looses his canoes 
you know what chances there may be for his escape by land. If you 
can set a trap for him in your quarter I trust you will do so. There 
ought to be guards at all the reserves. 

In reference to one hundred hostiles in Nesqually plains, I give less 
credit to that report than to any other. I was myself yesterday at 
Bradley’s, McLeod’s, Murray’s, and Sandy Smith’s, and saw no signs of 
Indians. I must have gone over the ground where they are reported to 
be. 

Considering the importance of this centre of operations and the 
town of Steilacoom, I cannot prudently reduce my force here much lower 
than it is. Taking out the sick and wounded (of which we have a con¬ 
siderable number) I have only 160 regulars all told, under my command 
in all this part of the territory. 

As you know the situations of the reserves better than I do, may it 
not be well for you to send guards at once from Capt. Hay’s and Hen- 
ness’ companies. If you think best will you do so ? 

I do not know how long I shall be absent in the “ Active.” 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

Your most ob’t. servant, 

(Signed,) E. D. KEYES, 

Captain 3d Artillery, Commanding Post. 


196 


l 

[No. 181.] 

Head Quarters Puget Sound District, ] 
Fort Steilacoom, W. T., Jan. 10th, 1856. ) 

Hon. C. H. Mason, 

Acting Governor W, T.: 

Sir :—On the 4th instant, I had the honor to inform you that I had 
neither law nor instructions to warrant me in giving orders to the volun¬ 
teers. I have none yet, but I will furnish provisions till the end of three 
months. I cannot give them further orders with propriety. 

I have heard directly and indirectly from Leschi, and the tempori¬ 
zing course I am pursuing, I feel certain, is the reason why he and the 
hostiles have ceased their depredations. I have repeatedly stated in my 
letters that this war cannot be effectually prosecuted without first estab¬ 
lishing posts in the enemy’s country, so that the men may go out without 
pack trains, and may generally sleep dry. My men who were out with 
Lieut. Slaughter have many of them, since been disabled with rheuma¬ 
tisms. I deem it necessary to record my opinion that a forward move¬ 
ment at this time would not hasten the termination of the war, but might 
and probably would, induce the hostiles to recommence their depredations. 
I hope soon to get re-inforcements, and then operations will commence 
at once. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) E. D. KEYES, 

Capt. 3d Artillery, Commanding. 


[No. 122.] 

Executive Office, Ter. Wash., ) 

Olympia, Feb. It, 1856. ) 

Lieut. Col. Silas Casey, 

Commanding Puget Sound District : 

Sir :—I shall move a force of one hundred and twenty volunteers 
to Montgomerys day after to-morrow, and there establish a block-house. 
The block-house on the Yelm Prairie was completed last evening. Our 
volunteer force, exclusive of teamsters and quartermaster’s men, now 




197 


amounts to one hundred and sixty men, all rendezvoused at, and in the 
vicinity of the Yelm prairie. 

I am well off for supplies generally, but I would be glad to get from 
you cartridges and some forage. Will not the condemned forage answer 
for our oxen ? 

On arriving at Montgomery’s the whole force will be applied to es¬ 
tablishing the post, and some thirty three-yoke ox teams be despatched 
to Steilacoom to carry the supplies and forage now at Steilacoom. My 
weekly expresses from the Indian reservations reached here Thursday eve¬ 
ning. There is great danger of a large force of northern Indians making 
an attack on the settlements down the Sound, and I have urged Captain 
Gansevoort, after the Active has landed the troops and supplies at the 
mouth of the Snohomish river, to keep her cruising all the time between 
Port Townsend, Bellingham Bay, and Seattle. 

The information comes from a pretty reliable source that the north¬ 
ern Indians intend coming upon the settlements of the Sound with a force 
of sixteen war canoes. My express leaves to-day for all the posts on the 
Sound, and I have directed them to stand firm and keep a sharp lookout. 
I make no change in the Snohomish expedition, it will go on. A rein¬ 
forcement of twenty-five men, (Indians) have gone to Pat Kanim. 

This letter will be taken to you by Goudy. If you agree with me 
that the Active should cruise down the Sound write a letter to Ganse- 
voort to that effect. Goudy will take it to Steilacoom and hand it to my 
express man. 

I am, very truly, 

Your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 
Governor and Superintendent Indian Affairs. 


p. s.—j have also written Governor Douglass at Vancouver’s Isl¬ 
and, advising him of the contemplated expedition of the northern Indi¬ 
ans, (mostly within his jurisdiction) and have requested him to keep one 
of the Hudson Bay steamers cruising in the vicinity, and to advise me 
promptly of their movements. 

(Signed,) 


I. I. S. 


198 


[No. 123.] 

Head Quarters Puget Sound District, ) 
Fort Steilacoom, Feb. It, 1855. ) 

To His Excellency, Isaac I. Stevens, 

Governor of Washington : 

Sir :—Yours of to-day’s date is just at hand. I am pleased that 
you are to make so speedy a movement, and trust you may succeed in 
your operations. 

I have directed that a note be addressed to Capt. Gansevoort, en¬ 
dorsing your views. I am glad that you have not suspended your move¬ 
ments on the Snohomish. 

On Thursday I shall move another company into the field in advance 
of the Puyallup, and, on the 25th inst., shall take the field myself. I 
have not a large supply of ammunition, but will try to let you have one 
box of musket cartridges, (1000.) 

I have directed the Quartermaster to dispose of the damaged for¬ 
age by sale. You may procure more of it from second hands. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

SILAS CASEY, 

Lt. Col. Com. Puget Sound District. 


[No. 124.] 

Executive Office, Ter. Washington, ) 
Olympia, Feb. 18th, 1856. j 

Lieut. Col. Casey, 

Com. Puget Sound Dist., Fort Steilacoom, W. T.: 

Dear Sir : — I have this day issued instructions to Capt. Riley to 
occupy Lone Tree Point, and to maintain it at all hazards. 

I trust he will be there on Thursday. My quartermaster, Captain 
Gove, will furnish him with the necessary supplies. 

Capt. Riley’s force is subject to my orders to march to any point, or 
to be sent on any duty I may deem necessary to the general defence o* 





199 


the territory. I have disbanded all companies for local defence, and 
have accepted, and shall accept the services of none, except for the gen¬ 
eral defence of the territory. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 
f Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Superintendent. 


[No. 125.] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, March 2d, 1856. 


Commanding Officer, 

Fort Steilacoom : 

Sir :—Information has just been received that the enemy are infest¬ 
ing the country near Nathan Eaton’s. 

Mr. William White was shot from his waggon as he returned from 
church this afternoon, at 5 p. m. There were two women in the waggon, 
who escaped by the horses running away. These women report several 
Indians as having fired. 

Also, a waggoner named Northcraft, has been missing for eight 
days. His waggon was found to-day. The oats which he was taking 
from Mound prairie to the Yelm, were found in the waggon, or on the 
ground, and the bags and oxen, with the man gone ; he was doubtless 
killed. 

The Governor desires me to request you to send thirty men to the 
Yelm to assist in scouring the country in the vicinity. 

All the men left here fit for duty will march towards the Yelm to¬ 
morrow, relying upon your co-operation. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) JAMES TILTON, 

Adj’t. Gen. W. T. V. 

By order of the Governor, 

and Commander-in-Chief W. T. Y. 




[No. 126.j 


200 


Fort Steilacoom, W. T., ) 

March 3d, 1856. ) 

James Tilton, 

Adj’t. Gen. W. T. Volunteers, Olympia : 

Sir :—Your letter of the 2d inst., is at hand. I regret very much 
that I am unable to accede to your request, for men to be sent from this 
post to the vicinity of the Yelm. 

The force at this post just now, is thirty-one men for duty, out of 
which I have to send a party of ten to escort a train of provisions to the 
Puyallup, to-day. 

I am sir, very respectfully, 

Yout most obedient servant, 

JOHN NUGEN, 

Lt. 4th Inf. Com. Post. 


[No. 127.] 

Head Quarters, Puget Sound District, { 
Fort Steilacoom, W. T., March 15, 1856. ) 

Governor I. I. Stevens, 

Olympia, W. T.: 

Sir — I respectfully request that you will at once issue your procla¬ 
mation calling into the service of the United States two .companies of 
volunteers to serve on foot, for the period of four months, unless sooner 
discharged. Each company to consist of one captain, one first and one 
second lieutenant, four serjeants, four corporals, and seventy privates. 

I wish both companies to be mustered into service at Fort Steila¬ 
coom. 

The authority for calling for the above named troops, bas been given 
by the General commanding the department of the Pacific. 

I received yesterday an accession of two companies of the 9th in¬ 
fantry. With this accession of force, and the two companies of volun- 





201 


tecrs called for, I am of tlie opinion that I shall have a sufficient number 
of troops to protect this frontier without the aid of those now in the 
service of the territory. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) SILAS CASEY, 

Lieut. Col, 9th Inf., Com. Puget Sound District. 


[No. 128.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, ] 
Olympia, March 16th, 1856. j 

Lieut. Col. Casey, 

9th In. Com. Puget Sound Dist., Ft. Steilacoom, W. T.: 

Sir :— I have received your letter of the 15th instant, advising me 
of accession to your command of two companies of regulars, and request¬ 
ing me to issue my proclamation calling into the service of the United 
States two companies of volunteers to serve on foot, for the period of 
four months, unless sooner discharged. These companies you wish to be 
mustered into the service at Fort Steilacoom. 

You also express the opinioh that if this requisition be complied 
with, that you will have a sufficient number of troops to protect this 
frontier without the aid of those now in the service of the territory. 

I am also advised that you have been authorised to make this requi¬ 
sition for troops by the general commanding the department of the Pa¬ 
cific. 

You have been informed by me not only of the volunteer force 
which had been called out to protect the settlements, and to wage war 
upon the Indians, but of the plan of campaign which I have adopted, of 
the positions which these troops occupy, and of the blows already struck 
by them against the enemy. I take it for granted that this information 
has been communicated to Gen. Wool, and has been considered by him 
in his official action. 

In the two visits which I have made to Steilacoom to confer with 
you, one of them made at great personal inconvenience, I have waived 
26 



etiquette in mj anxious desire to co-operate with the regular service. I 
have communicated unreservedly my plans and views and have endeav¬ 
ored, so far as my operations were concerned, to conduct affairs in a way 
to insure the whole force operating as a unit in the prosecution of the 
war. 

I am happy to say, that in our several interviews and communications, 
you have met me in the same spirit of co-operation to the extent "that the 
impression has been made upon my mind, that such disposition had been 
made of the volunteers in your opinion, as to make them an efficient ele¬ 
ment in the general combination. 

Now your requisition on me to issue my proclamation to call into 
the service of the United States two companies of volunteeers, in con¬ 
nection with the expression of your opinion, that if the call were com¬ 
plied with, the services of the troops now in the service of the territory 
may be dispensed with, is, in fact, a call upon me. to withdraw all the 
troops now in the field, with their sixty to eighty days’ provisions, to aban¬ 
don the block houses, to leave the settlements both north and south open 
to attacks of the marauding Indians, and, at the very moment when our 
troops are prepared to strike a, and perhaps the, decisive blow, to aban¬ 
don the campaign, and reorganize anew. 

Are you aware that in the patriotic response of the citizens of this 
territory to the call of the executive, over one half of our able-bodied 
men are bearing arms, that the people are almost entirely living in block¬ 
houses, and that it is entirely beyond the ability of our citizens to organ¬ 
ize an additional company of even fifty men ? 

The two companies you call for can, therefore, not be raised except 
by the withdrawal of the troops, and abandoning the campaign at the 
very moment when the prospects are flattering to end the war. 

For the reasons above it will be impossible to comply with your re¬ 
quisition. Nor can I suppose that in making the requisition, either Maj. 
Gen. Wool or yourself, believed for a moment that the requisition would 
be seriously entertained by me. 

But I am of opinion that even were the requisition complied with, 
your force would not be adequate to the protection of the frontier and 
the settlements. Having the highest respect for your opinion, knowing 
how cautiously and carefully you approach any field of labor, and how 
thoroughly you investigate it, and reach your conclusions, I am con¬ 
strained to express my judgment that you would soon be obliged to call 
for an additional force fully equal in all, to the force which has been 
called out by my previous proclamations. 

In such a case, I have no other alternative than to act according to 
my deliberate judgment. For, if waiving my own judgment to yours, in- 


203 


/ 


jury should result, the responsibility would attach to me no less than to 
yourself. 

Otherwise, why is the militia organized, and the executive made its 
commander-in-chief ? It is to meet emergencies like the present ? 

But were it practicable to comply with your requisition, and were 
these requisitions in my judgment competent, I should not deem it expe¬ 
dient to place the force thus raised, under the command of the officers of 
the regular service. 

The war has now gone five mouths. It is a war emphatically for the 
defence of the settlements. So much so, that I have* ordered to the 
Sound four companies from the Columbia river, and at this critical period 
it is important that there should be no changes in the command, or in 
plan. In view of this, and also, in view of the changes of opinion and 
of plan, on the part of the officer in chief command on this coast, grow¬ 
ing out of a want of proper understanding of the difficulties to be en¬ 
countered, I am of opinion that the whole force will be more efficient, 
and that there will be a better spirit of co-operation, if the regular and 
volunteer services are kept distinct. Be this as it may, the campaign is, 
I trust, approaching its consummation, and changes of plan can orily be 
fraught with mischief. 

The citizens of this territory have very great confidence in the officers 
of the regular service, and especially is this the case with the people of 
the Sound. These relations have been more than cordial; these are the 
witnesses of the efficiency of the troops stationed here, and their grati-. 
tude has been announced on several occasions since the organization of 
the territory. 

The force now in the field has not been mustered into the service of 
the territory, but into the service of the United States. My authority, 
as the highest federal officer of the territory, is derived from the same 
source as that of the Major General commanding the Pacific division. I 
am commissioned by the President, and I act under authority of the laws 
of congress, and the responsibilities of my oath of office. 

For these reasons, your requisitions cannot be complied with, at the 
same time, you may rest assured of my doing every thing in my power to 
co-operate with you, and I hope that, through the action of us all, the 
war may soon be closed, and the suffering inhabitants of the territory 
may be rescued from their present unhappy condition. 

With great respect, I have the honor to be, 

Your most obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief W. T. V. 


204 


[No. 129.] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
* Olympia, April 15, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. Silas Casey, 

9th Inf. Com. P. S. District, Port Stcilacoom, W. T.: 

Sir Orders have been sent to Major Van Bocklin, commanding 
the northern battalion, 2d regiment W. T. volunteers, to evacuate the 
post at Porter’s prairie upon its occupation by Major Garnett. 

Also, Major Van Bocklin has been instructed to offer the forts 
“Pike and Posey” to your officers, that he may make a scout with his 
whole force towards the Nacliess pass, to search for the enemy in that di¬ 
rection, and verify the depth of snow in the Nacliess pass. 

After his return he is ordered to march to the Snoqualmie pass, and 
concentrate his battalion at that point. I propose, sir, to confine the op¬ 
erations of the Washington Territory forces to the lines of the Snoho¬ 
mish and Nesqually, and consider the force under my command as amply 
adequate for the Nacliess or White river line. If you concur in these 
views do me the ffivor to issue orders to that effect, to your officers to 
take possession of the posts at Porters and also “Pike and Posey.” 

I would be very glad tp hear from you. 

With great respect, I have the honor to be, 

Your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 
Governor and Commander-in-Chief W. T. V. 


[ No. 130. ] 

Head Quarters, Puget Sound District, \ 
Port Steilacoom, April 15th, 1856. j 

Gov. Isaac I. Stevens, 

Olympia, W. T.: 

Governor :—Yours of to-day’s date is just received, and in reply, 
I would say that Major Garnet has orders to occupy Porter’s prairie, and 
if he has not already done so, he will, as soon as his troops return fron* 



205 


a combined scout which I have ordered in the direction of the Meridian 
prairie, the Dewamsh lake, and the prairies beyond the Cedar river. 

It is my intention to watch the Nachess pass pretty closely, and I 
think your plan of occupying the Snoqualmie pass a very good one. 

Would it not be well to watch the Cowlitz pass also ? 

With regard to forts “ Pike and Posey,” not knowing their locality, 
I cannot answer your enquiries with regard to them. 

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) SILAS CASEY, 

Lieut. Col. 9th In., Com. P. S. District. 


[No. 131.] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, April 21st, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. Silas Casey, 

Commanding Puget Sound District : 

Sir :—Your letter of the 15 th has been received. The Lewis county 
company are watching the Cowlitz river pass, and I am intending to asso¬ 
ciate with them Indian auxiliaries from the Cowlitz and Chehalis tribes. 

I learned last evening that your troops found an Indian hospital on 
the Puyallup, in which were twenty-five Indians too badly wounded to be 
moved, and who must die. Were they the wounded of the recent opera¬ 
tions, or the wounded from the beginning of the war ? I have supposed 
they were the wounded of the last operations, and perhaps not all the 
wounded at that. I hope your troops will have a good scout in the neigh¬ 
borhood of the lakes. Lt. Col. Lander will co-operate with your forces, 
and with good fortune, I trust the country in that direction will be 
swept. 

I am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief W. T. V. 



206 


[No. 132.] 


Executive OfficTe, Olympia, W. T., 
May 28th, 1856. 


( 


Lieut. Col. Silas Casey, 

Commanding Puget Sound District: 

Sir : — Lieut. Col. Shaw will deliver this letter, and explain more 
fully my views in regard to a proposed operation of the regular and volun¬ 
teer troops. Instead of your sending two companies to the reinforcement 
of Col. Wright by way of the Cascades and Columbia, I would suggest 
your sending three companies to the Nachess, retaining one at or near 
the pass, and advancing the others into the Yakima country. 

At the same time, I will put my whole mounted force through the 
Snoqualmie pass, and down the main Yakima. 

The Northern battalion shall occupy posts on the line of the Sno¬ 
qualmie, from the falls to the eastern slope. A depot shall be established 
on the eastern slope ; all the horsemen will then be available to strike 
and pursue the enemy. 

The remaining force at the head of the Sound will be about one 
hundred strong. I would be glad to make an arrangement in the event 
that the movement over the mountains go on, to transfer to you the posts 
on the Puyallup, on Connell’s and South prairies. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 133.] 

Head Quarters, Puget Sound District, | 
Fort Steilacoom, May 28th, 1855. ) 

Gov. I. I. Stevens, 

Olympia, W. T.: 

Governor Your communication of to-day’s date has been recei¬ 
ved. I feel much obliged to you for forwarding my communication from 



207 


Vancouver. I have not seen Col. Shaw as yet. Major Garnet, with 
two companies, left here this morning for the purpose of joining Col. 
Wright via the Cowlitz Landing. 

I did not send him across the Nachess pass, for the reason : First, 
I consider there would be much delay in getting across. In the next place, 
I had not sufficient transportation to spare for that purpose. 

I have one company watching the road which leads across the Na¬ 
chess pass. My accounts from the other side are that Col. Wright was 
conferring with the Indians. Owhi, Teias and Stock Whitley had been 
to his camp. 

Lieut. Vau Voast, disguised as a packer, had been to the Indian 
camp. Should the Indians agree to terms, peace will probably be made ; 
if not, when Col. Steptoe joins he will attack them. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) SILAS CASEY, 

Lieut. Col. 9th In. Com. P. S. District. 


[No. 134.] 

Executive Office, Territory Washington, 1 
Olympia, W. T., June 2d, 1856. ) 

Lieut. Col. Silas Casey, 

Com. P. S. District, Fort Steilacoom, W. T.: 

Sir :—I propose to turn over to you the posts at the wagon road 
crossing of the Puyallup, on Connell’s and South Prairies. The post on 
Connell’s prairie, in view of the relations to it of the posts on the Muck- 
leshoot, Porter’s and South prairies, is probably unsurpassed. 

# The expedition I am about moving across the Cascades by the Sno- 
qualmie pass/ will leave only about one hundred men, not all effectives, for 
the defence of the line from Montgomerie’s to the Skookum Chuck. I 
am of opinion that it will not do to disgarnish any portion of the line till 
the Indians have been struck east of the Cascades, and been driven to¬ 
wards the interior. 



208 


The company of volunteers at the Cowlitz are establishing a post on 
the Clickatat Prairie, some distance above the Landing, and are opening 
a trail thereto. 

Captain Pierre Charles, with ten Indians, is now scouting still higher 
up the Cowlitz ; he has brought to the reservation at Plomondeau’s on© 
party of seven Indians. I am daily expecting to hear that he has brought 
in a second party of four Indians. 

Will you send me word as to the posts by return of the express. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,/ ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief W. T. 


[No. 135.] 


Executive Office, Olympia, 
May 28th, 1856. 


i 


Lieut. Col. Silas Casey, 

Commanding Puget Sound District: 

Sir :— I send you some letters brought by my express yesterday. 
Will you send me word by the express your views as to the suggestions 
made in my letter of the date sent by the hands of Col. Shaw. 

I have little or no doubt that it will be practicable to push wagons 
from camp Montgomery to Rattle Snake prairie, (Cedar creek) and thence 
over the Snoqualmie pass to a prairie on the Yakima, suitable for a depot 
post. 

I shall send a staff officer immediately over the route to verify the 
information I have received, and in case of its practicability to give 
the necessary directions for putting parties at work to open the road. 
Six days since there was snow on the Snoqualmie pass for only three 
miles, and the greatest depth was four feet. ° 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 



209 


No. 136. 

Head Quarters, Puget Sound District, \ 
Fort Steilacoom, June 1, 1856. ) 

Sir :■—Your communication of yesterday has been received. In re¬ 
ply, I am directed by Lieut. Col. Casey to say, that as matters now 
stand, he is of the opinion that he has regular troops enough to give pro¬ 
tection to the inhabitants of this portion of the Territory, and he is ready 
to occupy with the United States troops the following positions now occu¬ 
pied by the volunteers, viz : “ ConnelFs prairie,” the block-house at the 

point the military road crosses the Puyallup river, “Montgomery’s,” and 
the block-house on the Yelm, as soon as you may see lit to vacate said 
positions. 

I am, sir, 

Your obedient servant, 

JOHN NUGEN, 

2d Lieut. 4th Infantry, A-.* A. A. G. 

Lieut. Col. B. F. Shaw, 

Commanding Right Wing, W. T. Y. 


No. 137. 

Executive Office, Territory Washington, ) 
Olympia, June 3d, 1856. ) 

Lieut. Col. Silas Casey, 

Commanding Puget Sound District, Fort Steilacoom, W. T.: 

Sir ; —I have read your letter of yesterday acceding to my proposi¬ 
tion in regard to turning over to you the posts on the Puyallup and Con¬ 
nell’s prairie, and also proposing to relieve me of the post at Montgomery’s 
and the Yelm. 

Orders have been given to Lieut. Col. Shaw to make the necessary 
arrangements to turn over the first named posts, as also the post on South 
prairie. 

In reference to Montgomery’s and the Yelm, I hope soon to be able 
to make the arrangements to turn them over to you. I am still of the 
opinion that the next four weeks will be a very critical period on the 
27 






240 


Sound, and that it will not be safe to disband any of the troops in* the 
field till the operations in the Yakima country shall have resulted in 
heading the enemy and driving him into the interior. The recent w r anton 
murders at Steilacoom and on White river, have excited the friendly In- 
dians, and if repeated, may urge them to hostility. Every exertion shall 
be used by me to prevent their recurrence, and at all events to bring of¬ 
fenders to justice. I am anxious for the time to arrive when the safety to 
the settlements, I shall feel authorized to disband a part or the whole of 
the volunteers, and I will make arrangments to turn over to you both the 
posts, at Montgomery’s and the Yelm, as soon as it is ascertained that no 
large party of the enemy will cross the mountains to commence the war 
anew. 

It is probable that at all events, Montgomery’s may be turned over 
and the stores moved to the Yelm in a short time. 

Truly your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Ckief. 


No. 13SV 

Head Quarters, Puget Sound District, ) 
Fort Steilacoom, Oct. 20th, 1856. j 

Governor For several weeks past there has been more than one 
hundred Indians, including women and children, encamped near this post. 
Your agents have taken no charge, of them, and I understand, decline so 
doing. I sent them to the reservation soon after they came in, and was 
informed by Mr. Ford, your agent, several days after, that he had taken 
no charge of them, and did not intend doing so. I received them again 
in order to prevent any disturbance that might ensue from the strange 
conduct of your agents. 

In consequence of this, I have considered that the public tranquility 
required that I should ration them, and I have since then, done accor¬ 
dingly. Inasmuch as hostilities have ceased in this district, I do not con¬ 
sider that it is my provence to take care of these Indians, and I respect¬ 
fully request that you will relieve me from the responsibility. 

Permit me to say, that I am fully of the opinion that if the Indians 






211 


of the Sound are treated with kindness and justice, and lawless men res¬ 
trained from violence towards them, there will be no danger of any out¬ 
break on their part. 

In conclusion, I would remark, that I sincerely desire the prosperity 
and happiness of the people on the Sound, and I am confident that they 
will be the recipients of these blessings only so far as they shall prove 
themselves a law abiding, just, and forbearing people. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

SILAS CASEY, 

Lieut. Col. 9th In., Com. P. S. District. 

His Excellency I. I. Stevens, 

Gov. Washington Territory and Sup. Ind. Affairs. 


[ No. 139. ] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, Oct. 20th, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. Silas Casey, 

Commanding Puget Sound District, Fort Steilacoom : 

Sir :— I have received your letter of this date requesting me to take 
charge of the Indians, more than one hundred in number, encamped near 
your post, and stating that you had received them when sent back from 
the reservation, in order to prevent any disturbance that might ensue from 
the strange conduct of my agent. Capt. Ford has in this matter acted 
under the instructions of the general agent, Col. Simmons, who, I am in¬ 
formed notified you that the Indians would not be received, previous to 
your sending them to the reservation. 

Although hostilities have for the present ceased on the Sound, yet in 
my judgment, the Indians at your post, most of whom have come from the 
east side of the mountains, are not in that condition of submission, which 
makes it safe to incorporate them with the friendly Indians ; nor will they 
be in that condition till the known murderers of that band are arrested 
for trial. If these murderers of that band are not apprehended and tried 
and punished if convicted, we shall be at all times exposed to a renewal 
of the war, and its scenes of death and devastations. These Indians at 
your post during the short time that they were at the reservation endeav- 



212 


ored to create disaffection among the friendly Indians, which is not to be 
wondered at, as Stahi and other known murderers were sent to that res¬ 
ervation. I have therefore to request your aid to assist me in apprehend¬ 
ing Lesclii, Quiemuth, Kitsap, Stahi, Kelson, and other murderers, and to 
keep them in custody, awaiting a warrant from the nearest magistrate, 
which being accomplished, I will receive the remainder, presuming, how¬ 
ever, that I will provide for them in the neighborhood of your post till 
the return of Col. Simmons. In regard to Leschi, I will state that from 
recent information in my possession, I am almost certain that he is endea¬ 
voring to raise a force to prosecute the war anew. 

The Indians under Kitsap and Kelson, have a camp, it is said, on 
Green river, where, not only have they arms and ammunition, but the 
arms and ammunition of those who are at your post. 

Leschi is here for no other purpose, in my judgment, than to renew 
the war, and what has recently occurred in the Walla Walla valley, 
should admonish men upon whose shoulders rests the responsibility of the 
management of affairs, not to feel too secure. 

Yet I have learned since my return, that Leschi, within a few days, 
lias been at Kesqually, and that Dr. Tolpiie had communicated the fact 
to you, yet no efforts were made to arrest him, not even to the extent of 
sending me the information. 

In conclusion, I have to state that I do not believe any country or 
any age has afforded an example of the kindness and justice which has 
been shown towards the Indians by the suffering inhabitants of the 
Sound during the recent troubles. They have, in spite of the few cases 
of murder which have occurred, showed themselves eminently a law abi¬ 
ding, a just and a forbearing people. They desire the murderers of In¬ 
dians to be punished, but they complain, and they have a right to com¬ 
plain, if Indians, whose hands are steeped in the blood of the innocent, 
should go unwhipped of justice. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVEKS, 

Governor and Commande-in-Chief. 




213 


[No. 140.] 


Head Quarters, Puget Sound District, 
Fort Steilacoom, Oct. 21, 1856. 


i 


His Excellency, I. I. Stevens, 


Governor and Sup. Ind. Affairs, Olympia, W. T. 


Governor :—Yours of the 20th inst., has just been received. I de¬ 
sire in the first place, to correct one piece of information which you have 
received. You state that you have been informed that Col. Simmons, 
your agent, had notified me previously that the Indians would not be re¬ 
ceived on the reservation. I received no such notification from Col. Sim¬ 
mons, and the first information that 1 had of any unwillingness to take 
them was from Mr. Ford, several days after they had been sent out. I 
can see no reason for changing the opinion with regard to Indian matters 
which I had the honor to communicate to you in my letter of yesterday. 
The Indians on the Sound, there is no doubt, can, by neglect and ill 
usage, be driven to desperation. 

Those whom you wish my assistance to take, are some of those who 
were drivenffrom this district across the Cascade mountains. They deliv¬ 
ered themselves up to Col. Wright, when in the Yakima country—made 
their peace with him, and were promised protection. Col. Wright in¬ 
formed me of these facts, and although it might be said that command¬ 
ing an independent district, I was not bound by his acts, still it would be 
bad policy, if not bad faith, to pursue a different course towards these In¬ 
dians, not being able to understand the difference—would look upon it as 
a breach of faith. 

Now, with due deference to you, sir, I would suggest that the bet¬ 
ter way would be to consider that we have been at war with these Indi¬ 
ans, and now we are at peace. 

To be sure, they have killed some of the people, but that is incident 
to war. Most of those who have committed murder have been killed, 
and the Indians have suffered much. 

You say that some of the Indians who killed whites are still at large. 
It may be so, but are there not whites at large who have wantonly mur¬ 
dered innocent Indians in this district? 

For the reasons above mentioned, I cannot assist in arresting the 
men who you have named, but will submit the matter to the General com¬ 
manding the department of the Pacific, and be governed by his orders in 
the premises. 

Although I do not consider that I can assist in taking the Indians 
you named, unless they* re-commence the war, still, from my regard for 
the civil authority, I will, as I informed Judge Chambers and others, re- 


214 


«eive for safe keeping any Indians whom, by due process of law, they may 
.commit. 

I presume you were not informed that Leschi had seen Dr. Tolmie, 
from the fact that you were on the Columbia river. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

SILAS CASEY, 

Lt. Col. 9th In. Com. Puget Sound District. 


[No. 141] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, Oct. 21th, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. S. Casey, 

Commanding Puget Sound District: 

Sir :—Your letter of the 21st, came to my hands this evening. 

In regard to the protection promised the Indians, in arresting whom 
I have asked your assistance, I have the statement to me by Col. Wright, 
that he had made no terms with them, and had guaranteed to them no 
immunity from trial and punishment. This statement w T as made to me 
repeatedly by Col. Wright, and in the presence of witnesses, one of whom 
is Mr. Secretary, and late acting Governor Mason. On the contrary, I 
have twice, in writing, made requisition on Col. Wright for the delivery 
to me, in order that they might be brought within reach of the civil au¬ 
thorities, of Leschi, Quiemuth, Kitsap, Stahi, and Nelson, a requisition 
which he has not pretended to disregard, but which he simply asked my 
consent to have suspended for the present, in view of the circumstances 
under which they come in. I renew my requisition upon you, as I did 
upon Col. Wright, and I enclose for your information, the correspondence 
had with Col. Wright, in relation to the same subject. 

The operations on the Sound have been from the beginning, on the 
part of the Indians, those of murderers and outlaws—no tribe as such, 
having broken into hostility—and they are, therefore, entitled to none of 
the rights of war. Yet, that great lenity has been shown them by the 
Territorial authorities, I presume that I could have no better witness 
.than yourself. 



215 


Granted that it was a case of legitimate warfare, the men for whom 
I make requisition committed the murders in a time of profound peace,, 
under circumstances of unsurpassed treachery and barbarity, when their 
Tictims were entirely unsuspicious of danger, and this, too, in violation of 
the faith of treaties, which expressly stipulated for the giving up of men 
guilty of such offences. 

Nor is there any analogy between the cases of known Indians, who 
have murdered white men, and certain unknown white men who have mur¬ 
dered Indians. Your soldiers killed an Indian. Where are they? The 
citizens have killed Indians. Where are they? Two are in your own 
garrison in confinement, awaiting trial; and the others, proof has not yet 
been found, after Gvery exertion has been made to insure a bill from a 
grand jury in regard to the persons suspected- 

How can the civil arms reach the murderers, except by the assist¬ 
ance of the military? Shall a posse be summoned to assist the sheriff,, 
and shall he penetrate the wilderness of the upper Puyallup, where now 
it is reported Leschi is? Or shall I give official information to the mili¬ 
tary that they are demanded, and ask its assistance to seize them wher¬ 
ever they can be found? 

Any citizen can give information before a magistrate, and have a 
warrant issued for their arrest. It is, in my humble judgment, in view of 
my requisition, the duty of the military to make use of every means to 
bring these Indians within reach of the civil authority. 

I do not understand, in view of the known humanity and energy of 
the*Indian service on the 'Sound, aided, as it has been, by the body of the 
citizens, the necessity, in communications to me, of this constant reference 
to the ill treatment of the Indians, for it must be borne in mind, that we 
have managed some four thousand five hundred Indians on temporary res¬ 
ervations on the Sound during the war. 

Indians taken from, or near the vicinity of the war ground, and by 
unwearied vigilance and care, have seen them pass from a state of uncer¬ 
tainty as to whether they would join the war party, to one of content¬ 
ment and satisfaction, with no assistance from the military whatever. 

I have not seen Col. Simmons ‘since my return, and I will simply, 
state that my information in reference to his having notified you. previous 
to the Indians being sent to the reservation, that they would not be re¬ 
ceived there, was derived from persons in constant communication with 
him, both previous and subsequent to his conference with you. There has 
been some misapprehension in the matter, either on his part or yours. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed ) ISAAC I.. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Sup. Indian Affairs, \Y. T. 


216 


[No. 142.] 

Head Quarters, Puget Sound District, ) 
Port Steilacoom, W. T., Oct. 29, 1856. ) 

His Excellency, I. I. Stevens, 

Gov. and Snp. Ind. Affairs, Olympia, W. T.: 

Governor: —Your communication of the 2tth inst., is just received. 
In reply, I would say that I see no reason to alter my opinion with regard 
to Indian matters on the Sound, which I have already made known to you. 
A copy of your communication will be forwarded to the General com¬ 
manding the Department of the Pacific, and his order in the premises 
will be promptly obeyed. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

SILAS CASEY, 

9th Inf. Com. P. S. District, Fort Steilacoom, W. T.: 


[No. 143.] 

Office Sup. Indian Affairs, > 
Olympia, W. T., Oct. 31, 1856. ) 

Lieut. Col. Silas Casey, 

Com. Puget Sound I)ist., Fort Steilacoom, W. T.: 

Sir :— I have the honor herewith to enclose a copy of a letter of 
instructions from Col. Wright to Major Garnett, directing the latter to 
turn over to me for trial before the courts, Lesehi, Nelson, Kitsap, Stahi 
and Quiemuth. 

These instructions show conclusively, that Col. Wright had made no 
terms with these men, guaranteeing to them immunity from punishment 
for their misdeeds. 

I trust that you will feel authorized by your views of duty, to com¬ 
ply with the requisition which I have twice made upon you, [and which I 
take again this occasion to renew. 

I will observe that the instructions to Maj. Garnett were enclosed 




217 


to me for the use of Col. Shaw, who goes to the Yakima as soon as his 
business on the Sound is settled, which will be in a very few days. 
******** 
Yery respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

("Signed,; ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Sup. Ind. Affairs, W. T. 


[No. 144.] 

Head Quarters, Puget Sound District, ) 
Fort Steilacoom, Nov. 2d, 1855. j 

His Excellency, I. I. Stevens, 

Gov. and Sup. Indian Affairs, W. T.: 

Governor :—Yours of the 31st ult. is received. As with your prior 
communication, a copy will be transmitted to the General commanding 
the Department of the Pacific. 

I shall, in the meantime, comply with the requisition of the civil au¬ 
thority, so far as it can be done without a re-commencement of hostilities 
on my part. 

In all ordinary cases, I should have no hesitation in complying with 
the requisition of the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, but this is a case 
iu which, in my opinion, the rights and usages of war are somewhat in¬ 
volved, and in consequence, I consider myself and military superiors the 
proper persons to judge in the matter. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

("Signed,) SILAS CASEY, 

Lt. Col. 9th Inf. Com. P. S. District. 


28 



218 


[No. 145.] 


XJL IhAU V^UAftiCilVO, X UVxHil. kJUUi^ J 

Fort Steilacoom, W. T., Nov. 6, 1856. 


Head Quarters, Puget Sound District 



His Excellency, I. I. Stevens, 

Grov. and Sup. Indian Affairs, Olympia, W. T.: 


Sir: —Yours of the 4th inst., is just received. Neither Lieut. Me- 
Kibbin or any other officer, has been authorised by me to permit Indians 
to leave the reservation without authority from their agent; and if Lieut. 
McKibbin has so far exceeded his authority, such orders will be given to 
him as will prevent its recurrence. 

The Indians near the outlet of the Dewamish lake, are those who 
were permitted by the Indian agent, by my request, to go to that point, for 
the purpose of constructing a fish weir. I understand they are catching 
a large number of fish, and I trust, will be permitted to stop until the run 
of fish has passed. 

As I remarked to you, in a communication a few days since, I will 
again repeat, that as hostilities had ceased in this district, I wished to be 
released from the responsibility of the charge of any of these Indians, 
when it has been refused by your agents, and I considered it my bounden 
duty so to do, in order that the peace and tranquillity of the community 
may be preserved. 

With regard to the reports which your agents and others carry to 
you about hostile Indians, &c., I would merely say that I find it necessary 
to receive all such reports with great caution. 

The one which I had the honor to receive from you, a few days since, 
stating that more than one hundred Indians had left the reservation for 
the purpose of joining Leschi, proves to have been what I believed at the 
time, a baseless fabrication. 

With a sincere desire to do justice to all, I will say that it is my 
firm belief, after weighed, I trust, with due consideration, all the circum¬ 
stances connected with the matter, that if, in dealing with the Indians on 
this Sound, a spirit of justice is exercised, and those who have charge of 
them are actuated by an eye single to their duties, and the peace of the 
country, there need be no further difficulty. If, on the contrary, undue 
credence is given to the many reports which are constantly being circula¬ 
ted in this community, (most of them false,) made either from mere wan¬ 
tonness, the spirit of revenge, or from interested motives, the acts of out- 


219 


rage on the Indians, which their belief, by unreflecting persons will inves¬ 
tigate, may lead to retaliation and the peace of the country endangered. 
Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) SILAS CASEY, 

Lt. Col. 9th Inf., Com. Puget Sound District. 


[No. 146.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, } 
Olympia, Nov. 8th, 1856. ) 

Lieut. Col. Silas Casey, 

Commanding Puget Sound District, Fort Stcilacoom, W. T.: 

Sir :—I have received your letters of the 2d and 6th November, by 
the hands of Lt. Nugen. 

My reasons for declining to receive the Indians at your post have 
been already stated and remain in full force. When the* murderers and 
those accused of murder, are, in compliance wild my quisition, placed 
by you in the hands of the civil authority,, the Inch : will be received. 
The agents have positive orders to receive none of eh ;e Indians except 
by my written instructions. These Indians have been, or will be indicted 
by the grand jury of the several counties. As you have proclaimed that 
hostilities have ceased, they are in your military possession. 

I enclose the report to me of my local agent, Page, in regard to the 
alleged interference of Lieut. McKibbin with his Indians. I am glad to 
be informed of the steps you have taken in the matter. 

In regard to your observations about the reports which my “agents 
and others carry to me, ” as well as the re-iterations of former observa¬ 
tions in reference to the exercise of a spirit of justice, and the efforts of 
persons in charge of Indians being “actuated by an eye single to those 
duties and the peace of the country,” I have simply to state that the tone 
of them is offensive, and comes with an ill grace from the authority that 
has done little, ta that which has done much. It is uot my disposition to 
retaliate, but the ofccasion makes it proper for me to state that the great- 



220 


est difficulty I have had to encounter in stopping the whisky traffick with 
the Indians at Steilacoom and Bellingham Bay, K -• been the conduct of 
your own command. It would seem to be rri« ‘ppropriate that you 

should first control and reform the conduct of ■ own people, before 
going out of your way to instruct and rebuke v - •'-ranch of the pub¬ 
lic service—a service, too, which, both from it f r.t e and the success 

which has attended its labors, is entitled to the amption that it is as 
much interested and as much devoted to the peace ox the country as your¬ 
self, and as well qualified, to say the least, to consider dispassionately and 
judge wisely of affairs at the present juncture. 

I have also been informed of your thanking God, in the presence of 
Mr. Wells, who informed you how the Muckelshoot reservation was laid 
off, that the iniquity of it was not upon your hands—a remark highly 
presumptuous and insulting, as well from the fact the business did not 
concern you, as from the fact that the reservation was laid off both in the 
way I arranged with the Indians at the council on I’ox Island, and to 
their satisfaction on the ground. 

I am also informed by Col. Simmons personally, that he did give you 
notice that he would not receive the Indians. I presume you did not lis¬ 
ten to him, being altogether too much pre-occupied with your own views, 
to listen to a gentleman in regard to a business of which he and his supe¬ 
riors “are the proper persons to judge.” 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STB YENS, 

Governor and Sup. Indian Affairs, W. T. 

N. B.—I will respectfully ask you to send me a copy of my letter 
notifying you that one hundred Indians had left to join Leschi. 


[No. 141.] 

Head Quarters, Puget Sound District, \ 
Fort Steilacoom, W. T., Nov. 12, 1856. ) 

His Excellency, Isaac I. Stevens, 

Gov. and Sup. Indian Affairs, Olympia, W. T.: 
Governor :—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 
communication of the 8th inst. 





221 


By reference to your communication of the 25th ult., I find the fol¬ 
lowing : “In regard to Leschi I will state that, from recent information 
in my possession, I am almost certain that he is now endeavoriug to raise 
,a force to prosecute the war anew.” 

The expressman, who brought your letter informed me, that informa¬ 
tion had been received in Olympia that one hundred and fifty Indians had 
left the reservation and joined Leschi. I was informed by Mr. Ford, 
the next day, that he himself had conveyed to you that or similar infor¬ 
mation, and that he had since ascertained that it was not so. 

When I addressed you my communication I had not yours before me, 
and inadvertently confounded my information. It was an error on my 
part, and I cheerfully correct it. 

I have enclosed a copy of a communication received by me from Lt. 
McKibbin with regard the charge of your agent. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) SILAS CASEY, 

Lt. Col. 9th Inf. Com. P. S. District. 


[No. 148.] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, Feb. 2d, 1856. 


W. W. Miller, Esq., 

Quartermaster and Commissary General, Olympia: 

g IR: _You will issue certificates for purchases made by you, which, 

on presentation at this office, will be endorsed by me. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your most obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEYENS. 

Gov. Washington Territory. 





222 


[No. 149.] 


Executive Office, Territory Washington, 
Olympia, Feb. 18th, 1856. 


W. W. Milier, Esq., 

Qr. Master and Commissary General: 

Sir :—Move to-morrow to Montgomery’s, with all your waggons, 
teamsters, employees and supplies, leaving on the Yelm prairie simply 
supplies for 20 men for ten days. 

Give directions to the available teams at Steilacoom to move to-mor¬ 
row morning to Montgomery’s, with forage for the advance of Henness’ 
company. 

All the foot troops will move with you to Montgomery’s. Henness 
will occupy the Yelm with fifteen men, and push forward in person with 
the bulk of his company to cover the movement on Montgomery’s. 

On reaching Montgomery’s on Tuesday, (to-morrow) you will push 
all your teams to Steilacoom on Wednesday, with orders to deliver every 
thing there next day. 

On Friday morning, I shall move on the Puyallup. On Thursday, 
an election for Major will be ordered. 

All the foot troops will be ordered to be actively employed on the 
buildings. 

My aid-de-camp, Lieut. Col. Hurd, will go to Steilacoom to-day, and 
will see to the getting to Montgomery’s of forage, lumber for block-hou¬ 
ses, lumber, blocks, tackles, &c., for the ferry on the Puyallup. 

He will meet the command at Montgomery’s, and has directions 
from me as to the buildings. 

You will press into the service all the able-bodied men in the vicinity. 
Respectfully, &c., 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. Washington Territory. 


[No. 150.] 

Yelm Prairie, Feb. 18th, 1856. 

Gov. Isaac I. Stevens, 

Olympia : 

Sir :—In accordance with your orders, a train of twenty-seven wag¬ 
gons will leave here for Montgomery’s to-morrow morning. 






223 


It will take with it about seventeen thousand (1,700) pounds of 
flour, together with many other articles, an invoice of which accompanies- 
this. 

To-morrow morning I shall proceed to Nesqually, and hope to either 
here or there, press teams enough into the service to take Tolmie’s pork,, 
sugar and clothing to Montgomery’s forthwith. 

I shall then go to Steilacoom, and assist Gove in hiring all the 
teams in that vicinity, and shall push them forward to the depot. 

In the meantime, I shall send O’Bryant to Muck, with orders to hire 
or press into service all the wagons in that neighborhood, which are to 
be laden with whatever kind of forage that can be obtained and sent for¬ 
ward immediately to the depot at Montgomery’s. 

I have the honor to be, 

Your most obedient servant, 

W. W. MILLER, 

Quartermaster, &c. 


[STo. 151.] 


Executive Office, Territory Washington, 
Olympia, Eeb. 20th, 1856. 


Gen. Miller, 

Quartermaster and Com. General, W. T. Y.: 

Sir :—Your letter is received, and I am well pleased with the en¬ 
ergy you have manifested in getting the provisions and forage into the 
field, 

I have ordered the formation of a company, and the election of offi¬ 
cers for the teamsters and quartermaster’s men in your employ. 

My staff officer, Lt. Col. Hurd, is ordered ta issue the certificate to' 
the Major who is elected. 

The Major elected, is ordered to push forward to the Puyallup on 
Friday morning, and there to establish a ferry and block-house. Thence 
to push forward to Porter’s prairie, and there establish a ferry and block¬ 
house, and then push on to Muckleshoot prairie. Get every thing in rea¬ 
diness on Friday morning. Push forward with the train yourself. I will 



224 


join the command on Sunday. It is important that the utmost energy 
characterizes all our movements. 

Pat Kanim and all the available forces of the Northern battalion 
are actively engaged against the enemy from the line of the Snohomish, 
and it is necessary to push forward on the Puyallup, and in advance 
thereof immediately. 

The friendly Indians will all be here to-morrow, and will go to the 
Puyallup on Friday, to move up between the Puyallup and White river 
On Saturday, to cover our advance, and will be under the command of 
Captain Ford. 

Go with the troops and train to the Puyallup on Friday, and return 
here on Saturday, that I may confer with you in reference to supplies, 
&c. 

Everything is going on well here. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

IS A. AC I. STEVENS. 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 152.] 

Montgomery’s, Feb. 20th, 1856. 

Gov. Isaac I. Stevens, 

Olympia : 

Sir :—Our train arrived here last night, and we have taken Mont¬ 
gomery’s barn for a store house. 

Yesterday I sent some waggons to Nesqually for pork, sugar, cloth¬ 
ing, &c., &c., and to-day have sent twenty men to Steilacoom to bring up 
the supplies from that place. 

From Mr. Montgomery I have purchased a thousand pounds of 
most excellent pork, which I am having salted down, and will have it 
ready to go with the train on Friday. 

From Mr. Wren, I can get as much fresh beef as we-willjvant. 

I can get forage enough in this vicinity to last the command for a 
month. 

To sum up the whole, by to-morrow night, I_ will have at this post 



225 


sufficient provisions to last two hundred men three or four months, and 
ample forage in the vicinity for a month. 

In conclusion, I have the honor to report that the train and em¬ 
ployees of the Quartermaster department, will be in readiness to move to 
the Puyallup on Friday next. 

I have the honor to be, 

Very respectfully, <fcc., 

W. W. MILLER, 

Quartermaster, <fcc. 


[No. 153.] 

Montgomery’s, F’eb. 22d, 1856. 

Gov. I. I. Stevens, 

Olympia : 

Sir :—Our train is now ready to move, and could have done so this 
morning. Col. Hurd, I learn, is sick at Steilacoom, and Major Hays, 
who is now at Steilacoom, has given me no order to move. Our train 
will move with rations for 150 men for 100 days. 

I send this in order to have 5,000 government percussion caps for¬ 
warded here to-morrow. I sent an express to Steilacoom for them to-day, 
but Hurd writes me that none can be had there. Let an express start 
from Olympia to-morrow at day-light, with the caps, and it will overtake us 
before we get to the Puyallup. Let this matter be attended to immedi¬ 
ately. At the same time, forward four tents for Henness’ company. 

Hays, I think, will move on the Puyallup to-morrow morning. 

I will try and be at Olympia on Sunday morning. 

I have the honor to be, 

Yery respectfully, &c., 

W. W. MILLER, 

Quartermaster, &c. 


29 



226 


[No. 154.] 

Camp Montgomery, Feb. 28th, 1856. 

Q. M. and Com. Gen. Miller, 

Camp Montgomery: 

Sir :—You will, in your official capacity, accompany the expedition 
moving from this point into the Indian country. When it reaches the 
Muckleshoot prairie, and the necessary establishments are there made, 
you will return with the train. 

Y r ou will see that suitable supplies are left at the block-house on the 
Puyallup; say fifty days, and that nothing required at the Muckleshoot, 
or on the march is left behind, as salt barrels and forage. The forage 
will have to be economized, but with the precaution of camping in prai¬ 
ries, where, unquestionably, will be some grass, and if not moving till the 
way is cleared to the next camping place, it is hoped that it will be suffi¬ 
cient. 

Note carefully all deficiencies in supplies, so that they may be for¬ 
warded on your return. 

Ascertain whether there is any forage at Headley’s, at the forks of 
the Puyallup, two miles above our crossing place. Headley, as you know, 
is one of our teamsters; and generally find out all about the forage and 
grass between the Puyallup and White rivers. This will have influence 
in the matter of re-mounting the rangers, and in determining their field 
of operations. See that the wagons are carefully repaired, and strength¬ 
ened each night after reaching camp. 

On reaching the Muckleshoot, make the best arrangements for secu¬ 
ring temporarily the stores, and have killed and salted twenty-five of the 
fattest oxen. Additional beeves may remain for fresh beef. A small 
number of teams will be required for service whilst the post is occupied 
—say six to> eight. The remainder of the train should be brought back 
as soon as practicable.- 

The train will probably have to return by the way it goes out. I 
do not think Lieut. Col. Casey will get wagons through to the Muckle¬ 
shoot unless he adopts our route. 

Whilst I have given direction to Major Hays to take his own route 
to the Muckleshoot, I have strongly advised his going by Porters. We 
know we can reach the Muckleshoot by Porters, and that if the weather con¬ 
tinues, we can ford White river at Porters. It will probably require very 
great labor to reach the Muckleshoot by any other route. Moreover, 
by Porters, I think there is more grass,- and Porters is a very important 
point to occupy. 

Sergeant Phillips- and private Mize, of the detachment at this place. 


227 


have each a good two horse team. I have this morning detailed them 
for service with the train. \ ou will engage their teams, and apply them 
to supplying this post from Steilacoom and the Yelm. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 155.] 

Camp at Lemon’s Prairie, ) 
Feb. 28th, 1856. j 

Gov. I. I. Stevens, 

Olympia, W. T.: 

Sir : — I arrived here about two hours since, and it is now 4 o’clock, 
p. m. The train which left Montgomery’s this morning is just getting in 
in good order. 

I am hurrying up my men in order to have the train in perfect read¬ 
iness to move to-morrow morning, should Major Hays so order. It will 
be ready at that time. 

After supplying this post with fifty days’ rations, the train will take 
with it about 1350 pounds of flour, 38 barrels of pork, 1400 pounds su¬ 
gar, 200 pounds coffee and 150 pounds tea, besides beans, rice, hard 
bread, &c., &c. It will be seen that there is a deficiency in the amount 
of pork, but I hope to supply its place by putting up some seventy-five 
barrels of beef, as soon as we get to Muckleshoot. Granting that there 
wili be one hundred men stationed at Muckleshoot, after deducting ten 
men for this post and Henness’ company, and the teamsters shall have re¬ 
returned, I am inclined to think that they will have ample provision for 
ninety or a hundred days at that post. 

Boots and shoes are more needed than anything else just now. If, 
v/hcn any are obtained, they be sent immediately to Montgomerys, I will 
try and have them forwarded to the outposts as I come in. 

It is now nearly dark, and no order has come from Major Hays to 
move to-morrow morning. I learn that the ferry . boat is not finished, 



and presume that it is not the Major’s intention to take up the line of 
march to-morrow. 

I have the honor to be, 

Yery respectfully, &c., 

W. W. MILLER, 

Quartermaster, &c. 


[No. 156.] 

Camp Connell’s Prairie, ) 
March 2d, 1856. j 

Gov. I. I. Stevens, 

Olympia : 

Sir : — Our train arrived here early to-day in good order, without 
meeting with any serious accident since leaving Montgomery’s. The ut¬ 
most harmony seems to exist among all the employees of the Quartermas¬ 
ter’s Department. Major Hays informs me that he is uncertain whether 
he will move to-morrow or not, of which he has doubtless informed you 
by the express. 

Our cattle find excellent feed on the prairies, in addition to which 
we have four or five days’ supply of chopped feed on hand. 

In conclusion, I have only to add, that I feel confident that I shall 
be fully able to carry out your instructions, dated at Montgomery’s, touch¬ 
ing the Quartermaster’s Department of the expedition. 

I have the honor to be, 

Very respectfully, &c., 

W. W. MILLER, 

Quartermaster, &c. 




Executive Office, Washington Territory, ) 
Olympia, March 3d, 1856. ) 

Quartermaster and Com. Gen. Miller, 

Camp Connell: 

Sir :—Your letters reached me early this morning, and I am much 
gratified at the favorable condition of things with the train and supplies. 

There are in town seven dozen prs. boots, and ten prs. of shoes, at 
the stores of Lightner, Bettman, and Barnes. I will send out at least 
one half of them to Montgomery’s within the next three days. Also, a 
supply of stationery. 

The question of the selection of the main depot, has been confided 
to the discretion of Major Hays, who has strongly recommended Con¬ 
nell’s, and will commence, as he writes me, building a store house to-day, 
and he has been referred to the original instructions in reference to the 
return of the wagon train, &c. 

There will be some delay in pushing supplies to Montgomery’s, in 
consequence of small parties of hostile Indians infesting the road. Two 
men have been killed. Your teamster, Northcraft, a week ago Saturday, 
within three miles of the block-house, on the Yelm, and Mr. William 
White, killed yesterday. 

To meet this exigency, I am raising twenty-five mounted Quartermas¬ 
ter’s men to serve for one month, as a guard to the train, and strengthen¬ 
ing Montgomery’s by a detachment of eight men drawn from Lone Tree 
Point. Strengthening post at Yelm Prairie by hired Quartermaster’s 
men: directing all the Prench and half breeds connected with the Indians, 
to go to Fort Nesqually, to remain there under guard, and have ordered 
one company over from the Columbia river. 

Capt. Henness need have no fear of his horses. Col. Crosbie in¬ 
spected the post Saturday, and returned from there yesterday. The men 
are on their guard, and the animals are doing remarkably well. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


230 


[No. 158.] 


Executive Office, Olympia, W. T., 
May 1st, 1856. 



Qr. M. and Com. Gen. Miller, 

Olympia : 

Sir : — By the enclosed copy and special orders of this date, you are 
advised of the appointment of James K. Hurd as assistant Quartermas¬ 
ter and Commissary General, with the rank of Lieut. Col., and that he 
has been directed to report to you for orders. You will assign him to 
the charge of the Columbia river district, with orders to proceed thither 
at the earliest practicable moment, and under your direction, to take 
charge of the affairs of the department in that quarter. 

His district will include Lewis county, and the supply of the com¬ 
pany under Capt. Warbass, and his duties will embrace not simply the su¬ 
pervision of the Quartermasters and Commissaries in that region, but will 
include the whole business of supplies to be drawn from that quarter. 

You will instruct A. Q. M. & Com. Gen. Hurd, to make the depart¬ 
ment in the highest degree efficient, by suspending and reporting for re¬ 
moval, all Quartermasters who are incompetent to do their duty, by 
promptly removing all unnecessary employees, and by substituting in place 
of incompetent men, those who can efficiently discharge their duty. 

You will issue orders to the several quartermasters and agents, ad¬ 
vising them of the appointment of Lieut. Col. Hurd—informing them of 
the duty which has been assigned to him and, directing them strictly to 
comply with his instructions. 

Lt. Col. Hurd will give his special attention to the forwarding of the 
accounts of the several quartermasters, and will report to you in relation 
to any cases which may have occurred, of exorbitant prices being paid, to 
the end that extravagance may not be sustained in procuring supplies for 
the war. 

An efficient Quartermaster and Commissary organization is needed 
on the river—one which, without pretention, will meet the public wants, 
at the least possible expenditure, and with the least possible patronage. 
It is expected from Col. Hurd’s known vigor and judgment, that the 
remedy will be promptly applied by him to the inefficient condition of 
things on the river. 

Furthermore, you will give stringent orders to Lt. Col. Hurd, to 
^arry out your orders, holding him responsible for allowing any person to 


231 


come between him and the Quartermaster General, unless by the written 
orders of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 

Truly, your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEYENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 159.] 

Executive Office, Territory Washington, ) 
Olympia, May 1st., 1856. j 

Qr. and Com. Gen. Miller, 

Olympia : 

Sir: —The special order of this date appointing James K. Hurd 
Ass’t. Quartermaster and Commissary General, with the rank of Lieut. 
Colonel, in connection with my instructions to you of this date, to assign 
him to the Columbia and Cowlitz rived district, will insure the supervis¬ 
ion intended to be secured by the recent instructions, directing Captain 
Pagett to get his supplies by requisition on Quartermasters Hathaway and 
Hurd. Capt. Pagett will now get his supplies by requisition on Ass’t. 
Quartermaster and Commissary General Hurd. You are authorized, 
however, to give Lt. Col. Hurd the necessary discretion as to the extent 
he may deem it necessary that Capt. Pagett should make purchases. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEYENS, 

Gov. Washington Territory. 


[No. 160] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, May 5th, 1856. 


Qr. M. and Com; Gen. Miller, 

Olympia : 

Sir :—You will build a block-house and corral on the Tenalquot, for 




232 


a Quartermaster’s depot, and open a wagon road from the Yelm to the 
Grand Mound, through the Tenalquot, on the shortest practicable trail; 
also, repair the road leading from Chamber’s prairie to the Tenalquot. 

In the execution of this duty, you are authorized to engage the ne¬ 
cessary employees. Select an efficient man to take charge. 

In the herding of public animals on the Tenalquot, it is suggested 
that you employ one or more citizens of the neighborhood, as from their 
knowledge of the trails they will be best able to recover estrays. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor Ter. Wash. 


[No. 161.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, ) 
Olympia, May 28th, 1856. ) 

Qr. M. and Com. Gen. Miller, 

Olympia : 

Sir :—You will use every exertion to have in readiness at Mont¬ 
gomery’s, in five days, twenty ox teams, three yoke of oxen to each team. 

This train is to transport supplies to a depot to be established at 
the first good prairie on the main Yakima, It will cross the Cascades at 
the Snoqualmie pass. 

On the establishment of the depot, the train will immediately re¬ 
turn. 

Some of the fattest oxen could be retained for fresh beef, and two 
or three of the teams turned over to Major Van Bokelin. 

If the pack train can be got up to one hundred animals, it will be 
safe to make the movement. 

Truly and respectfully yours, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Comraander-in-Chief, 



233 


[No. 162.1 

* Executive Office, Olympia, ) 

July ltth, 1856. j 

Qr. and Com. Gen. Miller, 

Olympia, W. T.: 

Sir :—Capt. v Swindal has been directed to turn over Fort Hicks to 
Lt. Col, Casey. . 

You will take the necessary steps to move-the stores there in depot 
to Steilacoom. 

Reduce the expenses as much as possible, by discharging all persons 
in your department whose services are no longer required. 

. You will muster out of service the guard at the Nesqually Ferry 
block-house, 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEYENS', 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 163.] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, Aug. 2d, 1856. 


Qr. Master and Com. Gen. Miller, 

Olympia: 

SirY ou are appointed inspecting and enrolling officer for the levy 
of 200 men called for to strengthen the right wing of the 2d regiment, 
W. T. Y., under Col. Shaw. 

You will, in pursuance of those orders, appoint recruiting agents at 
such points as you may designate. Concentrate the recruits at Fort Ste¬ 
vens, and equip them for the march at that point. 

Appoint a medical officer to inspect the mental and physical condi¬ 
tion of each man offering for service. 

Reject all men who are not of good health, and able to bear fatigue. 

Hasten the raising of these men with all possible dispatch, and re- 
30 



234 


port progress to this office, and marching orders will issue hence, when 
the organization of the companies is complete. 

You will designate the company raised by yourself as Co. “A,” 3d 
regiment, W. T. mounted volunteers. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

J. TILTON, 

Adjutant General W. T. Y, 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 164.] 


Executive Office, Ter. Washington, 
Olympia, Aug. 8th, 1856. 


Qr. and Com. Gen. Miller, 

Olympia : 

Sir You will dispense with the services of all Quartermasters,, 
Commissaries, and agents, whose services are no longer required—report¬ 
ing their names and the dates of the expiration of service to the Adjutant 
General, that the necessary discharges may issue. 

Yery respectfully, &c., 

ISAAC I. STEYENS, 

Gov. and Com, in-ChieL 


[ No. 165. ] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, I 
Olympia, Eeb. 18th, 1856. j" 

Col. B. F. Shaw, 

Sir :—I put in your charge the preparation of the expedition against 
the Indians cast of the Cascade mountains. 





235 


You will see that the several Captains who propose to raise compa¬ 
nies are amply supplied in every respect, and are filled with energy for 
the purpose they are to accomplish. 

You will understand the country east of the Cascades, and that it is 
important to keep the Spokanes and Nez Perces friendly. 

* * * A pots must be established at Walla Wal¬ 

la—the Columbia river must be crossed, and the Yakima country occu¬ 
pied. The Yakimas must be stricken in their own country with a firm 
and a strong hand. 

******** 

Recollect that We are hard pushed on the Sound. We have a 
determined enemy on White river. We know not when the friendly In¬ 
dians may become hostile—when the northern Indians may join them. 

We are pushing on with all our forces. The regular army, the volun¬ 
teers, the navy and the friendly Indians, are all in the field. 

We trust we will have the contest closed on this side the mountains 
in one month, and then we will have one hundred men on good horses to 
cross the mountains to your assistance, but instead of our going to your 
assistance, we may have need of your coming to us; therefore the neces¬ 
sity of Indian spies between the two forces. Immediately on your occu¬ 
pying the Yakima mission, you will send spies over the Cascade passes to 
the troops operating on this side from the Snohomish to Steilacoom. 

***** *** 

You will report to head quarters the day you take up your line of 
march. 

I am, very respectfully, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Com.-in-Chief, W. T. V. 


[No. 166.] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, Eeb. 20th, 1856. 


Ass’t Adj’t Gen. B. F. Shaw, 

W. T. Volunteers : 

Sir : —In my letter to you of the 18th inst., I suggested to you the 
use of boats in transporting your supplies to Walla Walla. 

******** 



236 


Even should boats be used, you will require for a force of 200 men, 
not less than 100 pack animals, and 20 packers. 

If yon use wagons, buy or hire forty Take with you means to 
cross the Columbia river. No. 1 duck will answer to put around the 
wagon beds. 

;}: >£ :jc 5j< 

You will occupy the Yakima station in a manner similar to that at 
Walla Walla. A block-house and twenty-five men, and a store house for 
provisions. If you start with 200 men, this will leave you 150 for ope¬ 
rations in the field. I am convinced that with this number you can strike 
a blow in the Yakima country. 

But should you meet with serious difficulties, I am equally well con¬ 
vinced that you can hold your position at the Yakima mission until we 

shall come to your assistance. 

* * * 

Better have one year’s supply on hand at the close of the war to be 
sold at a discount, than allow our people to want food for one day.. We 
hope to close this war in a few weeks, but we must not be behind Kami- 
a-kin, who swears he will fight for five years. 

* % * * * * 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

.Governor and Comm&nder-m-Chief. 


[No. 161.] 

- Vancouver, W. T., Feb. 21st, 1856. 

His Excellency I. I. Stevens, 

G ov. and Commander-in-Chief: 

Sir : I nave the honor to acknowledge the receipt of my commit' 



287 


sion as assistant adjutant general, also a letter of instructions as assistant 
quartermaster general, and letters and instructions for the field. 

****** 

I have the honor to be, 

Your most obedient servant, 

(Signed,; B. F. SHAW, 

Ass’t Adj’t Gen. W. T. V. 


[No. 168.] 

Salem, 0. T., Feb. 29th, 1856. 

James Tilton, 

Adjutant General W. T. V.: 

Sir :—I have this moment received your letter of instructions, and 
have accordingly sent orders to the companies at Vancouver to move up 
the river to the Dalles, where I propose to join them and move into the 
Indian country. 

We have been unavoidably delayed here in raising men and horses. 
Some eighty men have been raised at Vancouver, and the supplies had to 
be purchased and animals purchased for transportation. The whole thing 
cannot be accomplished in a moment. I have been laboring hard to raise 
men to join iu the next fight, but I think it will be impossible for us to 
move in line to engage in the first fight, on account of the great distance 
to travel, and the time being so limited. The force will, however, move 
as soon as possible. 

I have been here several days, trying to raise two companies to go 
out. I have a fair prospect of obtaining recruits, and will know in a few 
days how many. I will then proceed to the Dalles and join the compa¬ 
nies that go first, leaving the last companies in charge of their respective 
captains, to bring up the rear. I cannot complete my arrangements here 
so as to leave before the first of March, and will reach the Dalles about 
the 7th. The whole force cannot reach the Dalles before the tenth of 
March. 

* ******* 




238 


I will send you word the day that I take up my line of march from 
the Dalles. We have now nearly the entire supplies procured, and I have 
ordered them shipped immediately to the Dalles, to prevent delay in that 
respect. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

(Signed,) B. F. SHAW, 

Ass’t Adjt. Gen. W. T. 


[No. 109.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, ) 
Olympia, March 2d, 1856. ) 

Lieut. Col. B. F. Shaw, 

Assistant Adj. General ; 

Sir :—You will order Capt. Maxon’s company of volunteers to pro¬ 
ceed to this point without delay. 

The Multnomah will go up on Tuesday. Charter her on Wednesday 
to bring the troops to Monticello. The troops will then take the trail 
and push on to Olympia as rapidly as possible. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

ISAAC I. STEYENS. 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. no.] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. Y., 
Olympia, March 2d, 1856. 


Ool. Crosbie, 

Aid to Commander-in-Chief : 


Sir :—You will proceed immediately to the Columbia river, and con- 




239 


vey orders to 1 Col. B. F. Shaw, or in his absence, to Capt. Maxon, to- 
march as soon as possible to this place, with sixty men of the Southern 
battalion. 

You are authorized to give the details of orders for the purpose, un¬ 
der the authority of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief, to all quar¬ 
termaster and commissary officers, and contract for supplies and transpor¬ 
tation yourself when such officers are not present. 

Celerity of movement is expressly enjoined, as there is reason to be¬ 
lieve the enemy are endeavoring to get in the rear of the forces now ad¬ 
vanced to White river country, and as the settlemnts upon the Sound are 
weak, and it is important to the service to maintain the Central battalion 
in its present strength and position. We can look for reinforcements to 
the Columbia alone. 

Respectfully, &c., 

(Signed,) JAMES TILTON, 

Ad ft Gen’l W. T. V. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-chief, W. T. Y. 


[No. HI.] 

Fort Vancouver, March 9th, 1856. 

Isaac I. Stevens, Esq., 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief, Olympia, W. T.: 

Sir : —I have just arrived at this place, on my return from Salem 
and Oregon City, where I have been recruiting for the Southern battal¬ 
ion. I have succeeded in raising probably fifty, who will be here on Wed¬ 
nesday next, which, with Achilles’ company, (supposed about thirty men) 
will equal eighty strong. 

The withdrawal of Maxon’s company, has much embarrassed me, as 
it leaves me without a sufficient force to carry out your orders. I have 
provisions and transportation now for 200 men for four months, all com¬ 
plete. We only wait your orders to ship to the Dalles arms and revol¬ 
vers. Sufficient have been purchased to arm those who may be unable to 
do so for themselves. 

Most of the men from Oregon will come fully equipped with horses, 



240 


arms, &c., for the Yakima expedition. If, however, they should be ord¬ 
ered to the Sound, it would probably create some dissatisfaction among 
them, as they enlisted with the express understanding that they were to 
serve on the eastern side of the Cascades. Should you, however, deem 
it best for the interest of the service that their destination be changed, I 
will endeavor to reconcile them to the change, and I think they could act 
with good effect on the Nesqually and other plains. 

I do not wish to move into the Yakima country with a small force, 
as it will neither enable me to carry out your orders, or to act efficiently 
in the field. I have no time to write more as the steamer leaves. I 
await your orders. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) B. F. SHAW, 

Ass’t. Adj. General. 


[tfo. IT'2.] 


Executive Office, Territory Washington, 
Olympia, March 12th, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. B. F. Shaw, 

Ass’t. Adj. General, Vancouver, W. T.: 

Sir :— I have determined to bring over your battalion to this quar¬ 
ter, and the necessary order will go by this express from the Adjutant 
General. 

At the same time, the service will remain organized on the Columbia, 
to be prepared for auy possible contingency. 

I shall shortly despatch a train to the Nez Perce country, with snp- 
plies for the agent. 

In the probable event of moving across the mountains from this quar¬ 
ter, supplies advanced from the Dalles, should meet the troops at Fort 
Walla Walla, and possibly in the Yakima conntry. 

Hence the orders to have supplies, means of transportation already 



241 


engaged, and not wanted in this quarter, cared for, and hence the quar¬ 
termaster’s post at the Dalles will be kept up. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


i 


' [No. 173.] 


Executive Office, Territory Washington, 
Olympia, April 16th, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. Shaw, 

Sir :—You have been elected Lieut. Col. of the Central and South¬ 
ern battalions, and will assume command of the same. 

Capt. Swindall, now in command of the Central battalion, has been 
ordered to establish a block-house at South prairie, to open a communica¬ 
tion with the force moving up the Nesqually, and in his future movements, 
to be governed by your orders. 

Major Van Bokkelin is under orders to scout to the Nachess pass, 
to ascertain the depth of snow, and whether Indians are in that vicinity. 

Use your best judgment in managing the troops; push up the Nes¬ 
qually; endeavor to reach the waters flowing to the Yakima; establish 
block-houses; make reports as often as practicable, and from time to time, 
requisitions for supplies. 

Very respectfully, 

Your most obedient servant, 

fSignedJ ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


31 



242 


[No. 114.] 


Exkcutivb Officb, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, April, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. B. F. Shaw, 

Sir :—In pursuance of orders from this office to the Central battal¬ 
ion, after establishing a block-house at South Prairie, to move towards 
the Michael’s Fork, and form a junction with you on the line of the Nes* 
qually Capt. Swindall has moved by way of Montgomery’s, and is now 
at this post. 

It is presumed that this detour from the direct route was made in 
consequence of the difficulty of the route—perhaps from want of the ne¬ 
cessary tools and supplies. 

The object of the movement was to connect the line of the Duwa- 
mish with the line of the Nesqually by a back route, to facilitate the ra¬ 
pid concentration of troops on either line, and also, simply keeping in the 
block-houses already established, a guard, to throw the whole available 
force on this line of the Nesqually, with a view of opening communica¬ 
tions and establishing posts. 

The great object is to open the line of the Nesqually, so as not only 
to ascertain its relations with the trails leading from its head waters to 
the Cowlitz river, to Lewis river, to Vancouver, the Cascades and the 
Yakima, but absolutely to open and establish these communications with 
the whole available force of your command. 

To this end, in addition to the Pioneers, a large working party will 
be required. Several block-houses will have to be built. One, it is sup¬ 
posed, on the Michael’s branch of the Nesqually, one intermediate be¬ 
tween that and South prairie, supposing it to be practicable, to open a 
direct communication by a back route, one high up the Nesqually at the 
point of divergence of trails, and perhaps an intermediate post between 
Michael’s and Montgomery’s. 

Your attention is particularly called to the question of establishing 
a post at McLoud’s, or at the farthest points of the settlements in that 
general quarter. 

The Lewis county company have orders to operate up the Cowlitz, 
and to open a communication with your command on the line of the Nis- 
qually. 

The whole field is thus before you, and it is not doubted that you 
will pursue it with your known energy and judgment. If you are in 
doubt as to the views at head-quarters nevertheless, act according to 
your best judgment, and report the result to this office. You will, of 
course, bear in mind, that the great object of establishing posts and roads 


243 


is to occupy the country, and beat back the enemy, and that an officer 
never makes a mistake in pushing that enemy, and striking a blow. 

Make your requisitions for supplies upon the Quartermaster General, 
and the quartermasters of posts, and report the disposition of your com¬ 
mand with other facts to this office as frequently as possible. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


(No. 175.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, ) 
Olympia, May 11th, 1856. j 

Capt. F. M. P. Goff: 

Com’g Co. K, W. T. V., Portland, 0. T.: 

Sir :—You have already received orders from Lieut. Col. Shaw, to 
increase your company to one hundred men, to push forward to the Dalles, 
and take up your line of march for the Walla Walla at the earliest prac¬ 
ticable period. 

Lieut. Col. James K. Hurd, Assistant Quartermaster and Commis¬ 
sary General, is now on his way to the Columbia river, to take general 
charge of transportation and supplies in that quarter, and to urge for¬ 
ward your expedition so far as his department has to render facilities. 

Capt. A. H. Robie will be the quartermaster and commissary of 
the expedition. He is now stationed at the Dalles, and is in every res¬ 
pect, competent to the position. 

In anticipation of more fuli instructions, I will state that you will 
move to the Walla Walla valley, establish a depot at Whitman’s valley, 
or in the general vicinity, and hold the valley against any efforts of the 
Indians to dispossess you. A large wagon train will accompany you to 
furnish supplies for your command, for the Nez Perce auxiliaries, and for 
any force which, moving across the Cascades, may meet you in that 
valley. 

Truly and respectfully yours, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 



244 


[No. 176.] 


Head Quarters, Camp Montgomery, 
May 16th, 1856. 


Gov. Isaac I. Stevens, 

Commander-in-Chief Volunteer Forces: 

Sir :— I think that it would be well for me to fit out my train, and 
have it in readiness for crossing over the mountains as early as possible. 
Please' let me know what you think of the plan by next express. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

(Signed,) B. F. SHAW, 

Lt. Col. Com. Right Wing, 2d Reg. W. T. V. 


[No. 177.] 

Executive Office, Territory Washington, ] 
Olympia, May 18, 1856. ) 

Lieut. Col. B. F. Shaw, 

Com ? dg Right Wing, 2d Regt. W. T. V.: 

Sir :—Have your train ready to move with three companies of horse¬ 
men across the mountains, but make no special change in their positions, 
except those indicated in orders of this date for the protection of the set¬ 
tlements. The movement cannot be made till the commission is through, 
and it is a question whether all the troops at this juncture are not needed 
here. 

We will be prepared for either contingency. For the renewal of the 
war here, or for crossing the mountains and waging the war there. Ten 
days or a fortnight, will determine the matter. Therefore keep a sharp 
look out, and be ready for a movement. 

Truly, your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 



245 


[No. 118.] 

Camp Montgomery, May 22st, 1856. 

His Excellency, I. I. Stevens, 

Olympia : 

Sir I called a council of the officers of the Central and Southern 
battalions now at this post, to take into consideration the expediency of 
a movement across the mountains. 

The following was the result : 

We unanimously concluded that the expedition is highly necessary, 
for the following reasons : 

1st. Our crossing the mountains with our horse will force Colonel 
Casey to remain here with his foot, or rather, it will devolve the necessity 
of protecting the settlements on him. 

But if we remain here until he starts, then we will be forced to re¬ 
main and protect the settlements, while he will march a force of footmen 
into a country, where horsemen are alone needed, thus rendering both 
forces inefficient. 

2d. Yakimas are the ruling power among the Indians, in this war, 
and hence the necessity of breaking their main body before we can attack 
them in detail. 

3d. Col. Wright, with his footmen, cannot follow them if he does 
whip them. 

4th. By remaining here, we can never know what our enemy is do¬ 
ing one hundred and fifty miles off. 

5th. The volunteers must make a fight before going out of service. 

6th. With the troops that are left, we can, with good management, 
effectually protect them. 

Tth. It is necessary to have depots of provisions in the Yakima 
country before winter. 

8th. The enemy on this side of the mountains has been repeatedly 
defeated, whilst on the other side, he has never been checked. 

(Signed,; B. E. SHAW, 

Lt. Col. Com. Right Wing, 2d Regt. W. T. V. 


246 


[No. 179.] 


Executive Office, Olympia, W. T., 
May 31st, 1856. 


Lt. Col. B. F. Shaw, 

Com. Right Wing, 2d Reg. W. T. Y.: 

Sir : —I have received your letter of this date, presenting the views 
of a council of officers held at Montgomery’s, unanimously advising a 
movement over the Nachess into the Yakima country. 

I am well assured therefore, that should it be decided to make the 
movement, it will be cordially responded to. 

Gen. Miller has been for some days vigorously preparing the trans¬ 
portation and supplies, to be in readiness for the movement. 

Lt. Col. Casey starts to-morrow morning two companies of regulars 
to re-inforce Col. Wright. They go by the route of the Cowlitz and 
Columbia. 

Truly and respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[ No. 180. ] 

Extracts from letters from Gov. Isaac I. Stevens, Commander-in-Chief , to 
Lieut. Col. B. F. Shaw , Commanding Right Wing 2 d Regiment 
Washington Territory Volunteers , under date of May 20 th and 21 st 
1856. 


May 20th, 1856. 


* * All the tribes at war east of the Cascades are collected 

on the Nachess to fight Col. Wright. Reinforcements will probably 
reach him to-morrow. 

If possible get an express over the Nahchess pass to communicate 
with Col. Wright. 




247 


[ No. 181. 


May 21st, 1856. 

* * * 


* * * * * 

Get an express over the mountains if possible,, but keep 
it a Becret in camp. 


[ No. 182. ] 

Head Quarters, Camp Montgomery, > 
May 22d, 1856. J 

Gov. I, I. Stevens, 

Commander-in-Chief: 

Sir :— I send the express to Col. Wright by Messrs. Coffee and 
Sharp. They will return if possible. 

Yours respectfully, 

(Signed,) B. F. SHAW, 

Lieut. Col., Com’g. Right Wing 2d Reg’t. W. T. V. 


[ No. 183. } 

Executive Office, Olympia, W. T., ) 
June 1st, 1856. ) 

Capt. F. M. P. Goff, 

Com’g. Co. K., W. T. Mounted Volunteers: 

Sir :—Your communication of the 26th ultimo has been received. 

In compliance with your request you are authorized to increase your 
force to 112 men in each company, and to elect an additional 2d Lieut. 
Although it is desirable to obtain the force you think you can raise, 




248 


there should be no delay on account of it. It is of the utmost importance 
to push forward as soon as possible, and you should by no means wait to 
increase your force to the number you have asked authority to raise, but 
on the contrary, march as soon as the number it was originally proposed 
to raise are ready to move. 

Yery respectfully, 

(Signed,) * ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


[ No. 184. J 

Head Quarters, Fort Hicks, ) 
June 5th, 1856. ) 

Adj’t General James Tilton, 

Washington Territory Volunteers, Olympia : 

Sir :—I returned late last night from the Snoqualmie prairie, and beg 
leave to make the following report of the country between that country 
and Connell’s prairie. 

A wagon road is utterly impracticable in the time mentioned in your 
instructions to Lieut. Huger. At Porter’s prairie, there is at least three 
miles of mud to go through, where the wagons would sink up to the hubs, 
and probably have to double teams. At Green river, on both sides, on 
Green river again, after leaving Frog Pond, at Sallal prairie, on both 
sides, and at Cedar creek, there will be required very heavy grading to 
render the road at all available. The timber on the greater part of the 
road has been burnt, and has fallen, and will require a great deal of cut¬ 
ting, as well as the small growing firs, of ^hich there is a great deal. 

I would, therefore, recommend that a pack trail be cut out instead 
of a wagon road, which will be comparatively easy. A fatigue party of 
about thirty men could soon clear a trail, which would enable the animals 
to go on without fatigue. 

The stores could be transported up the Snoqualmie river at much 
less expense than by ox teams. Canoes can be procured, which would be 
able to carry from one to three thousand pounds. The pack animals and 
the men could march by the trail. 

There is grass at Noscope prairie, sufficient for the animals for one 
night. This is four miles from Green river. 

At Frog Pond, there is not grass enough. At Sallal prairie, no 



249 


grass, and tlience no grass until we reach Rattlesnake prairie, which con¬ 
tains about enough for two days’ consumption of the number of animals 
which we will have. 

Snoqualmie prairie, is eight miles from Rattlesnake prairie, and is a 
magnificent one. It is directly on the banks of the river—is four miles 
long, by about one broad, and is covered with splendid grass, intermixed 
with pea vine, of which the animals are extremely fond. The gentlemen 
of the Northern battalion informed me that there were at least ten thou¬ 
sand acres of prairie about the forks of the river, and not far from their 
camp. The soil is remarkably rich—no gravel, 

The stores could be transported to Fort Triton, below the falls in 
three days. This is the fort four miles from the prairie, on the opposite 
side of the river. There is a pack trail between the two, and a ford at 
the prairie. 

The summit of the pass is thirty-five miles from Rattlesnake prairie, 
by a good trail and very little snow, not more than two miles altogether. 
I could not go to examine it for want of time. 

I wish to be understood, that in reporting a wagon road as imprac¬ 
ticable, it is merely for the want of time, as with time and men a very fine 
road could be made. 

Respectfully, 

(Signed,) W. W. DeLACY, 

Captain T. E. W. T. Y. 


[No. 185.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, ) 
Olympia, June 5th, 1856. ) 

Lieut. Col. B. F. Shaw, 

Com. Right Wing W. T. Y., Fort Hicks, W. T.: 

Sir : —The information received from Capt. DeLaey has determined 
me to abandon the movement by the Snoqualmie. Your views as to mo¬ 
ving over the Nachess are adopted. It is important that every thing 
32 



2i50 


I 

should be pushed with all possible vigor. The orders for the movement 
will go from the office of the Adjutant General to-day. 

It is doubtful whether all the powder you ask for can possibly be 
procured from Olympia. I enclose a requisition on Col. Casey for an 
amount not exceeding two hundred pounds. I trust, if he has that 
amount to spare for a brief period, that he will see his way clear to fur¬ 
nish it. 

, I will purchase every pound that can be got in the town of Steila- 
coom. 

The ammunition, powder, balls, caps, &c., shall be sent out to-mor^ 

row. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEYENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 186.] 


Head Quarters, Fort Hicks, 
June 5th, 1856. 


[ 


Adjutant General James Tilton, 

W. T. Volunteers, Olympia : 

Sir :—Capt. DeLacy has now returned, and as you will perceive by 
the enclosed report, states that a wagon road is impracticable to the Sno- 
qualmie, in time to be of service. 

Now, as everything is ready, and the wagon train on hand, I pro¬ 
pose to abandon the Snoqualmie route, push the wagon train on to the 
foot of the Naehess pass with the provisions, load the pack animals with 
forage, and cross at that point without further delay. 

The difficulties in the way appear to me to be exaggerated. White 
river is now low, and easily passed, and a little energy and determination 
will carry us through. From the report concerning the amount of snow 
on the Snoqualmie, I am convinced that we will find no great obstacle in 
that on the Naehess pass. The term of enlistment is getting short, and 
what we have to do joust be done shortly or not at all. 



251 


I shall, therefore, move on to the Nachess pass immediately, with 
the wagons, unless I receive orders to the contrary, and direct my march 
to that point. Time will be saved by it. 

The pack train will be ready to move in two or three days, and all 
the packs will have to be taken back to Steilacoom if we were to move 
by the Snoqualmie. 

If you can get me one of the two Klikatat spies now in Olympia, 
I think I can use him to advantage. 

Please send me definitive information on these points. 

I have the honor to be, 

Your most obedient servant, 

(SignedJ B. F. SHAW, 

Lieut. Col. Com. Right Wing W. T. Y. 


[No. 181.] 


Executive Office, Territory Washington, 
Olympia, June 5th, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. B. F. Shaw, 

Fort Hicks, W. T.: 

Sir :—You will turn over to Col. Casey, the posts on the Puyallup, 
on ConnelPs, and South prairies. Col. Casey has agreed to receive them, 
as soon as his wagons return from the Cowlitz. They will probably be 
back day after to-morrow. 

Col. Casey will also receive Fort Hicks, and the post at the Yelm. 
I have advised him, that as we have large quantities of stores at both 
places, we should need them for the present, but that I hoped to be able 
to make arrangements to turn over Fort Hicks at an early period, and 
the Yeloa as soon as the safety of the settlements would permit the dis¬ 
banding of the volunteers. 

I am quite confident I wrote to you to this effect some two or three 
days since, but the letter has probably been misplaced. 

Yery respectfully, &c., 

ISAAC I. STEYENS, 

Gov. and Com. in-Chief. 



252 


[No. 188.] 


Dalles, 0. T., June 18th, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. B. F. Shaw, 

Com. Right Wing W. T. Volunteers, Yakima country: 

Sir :—When you have, in conjunction with Col. Wright of the reg¬ 
ular troops, transferred the seat of war from the Yakima country proper 
to the interior, you will push to the Walla Walla and cross the Coliynbia 
at Fort Walla Walla. 

The troops and train will move from this point on the 20th, and two 
boats will be at Fort Walla Walla on the 30th instant, for ferrying over 
your command. 

Arrived at the Walla Walla, you will use every exertion to strengthen 
the Nez Perces and the Spokanes, who are friendly, and to bring to un¬ 
conditional submission the Cayuses and Palouses. 

If these latter will deliver up the principal instigators of the war, it 
being understood that they are to be executed by hanging, the rest may 
be admitted to mercy. 

The young chief, (head chief of the Cayuses,) Five Crows, Til-co 
wy-icks, Stoonch, Ume-howlish, Wild Cat, and some fourteen others, will 
have to be summarily dealt with. 

You will use every exertion to bring the war to a close by the giving 
over of these men for punishment. 

The Indians will be placed on a reservation near your post, in the 
Walla Walla valley. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 189.] 

Executive Office, Olympia, ) 

Jupe 3d, 1856. j 

Capt. E. M. P. Goff, 

Com. Co. K, W. T. V.: 

Sik You will move forward to the Walla Walla valley, and estab- 



258 


lisli a block-house in good grazing, say at Whitman’s old mission, or on 
Mill creek. Build two* strong corrals, one for horses, one for oxen. The 
animals must be carefully guarded, as there is great danger of the Indi¬ 
ans stealing them, and great pains must be taken to keep the horses in 
good condition. 

Capt. W. H. Pearsons, as soon as he can get through in safety, 
will go forward to the Nez Perces country, and you will furnish him a 
small escort. 

Lieut. Col. Craig, my aid-de-camp, will, on receipt of my orders, des¬ 
patched by Capt. Pearson, with his volunteer company, (mostly In¬ 
dian auxiliaries) march to the Walla Walla to meet and confer with you 
as to the military operations, and to secure that flank from the hostiles. 

I will bring to your notice the following suggestions as to the ope¬ 
rations necessary to hold possession of the valley, and get early informa¬ 
tion of the enemy. 

A picket should be established at Fort Walla Walla. One near the 
mouth of the Palouse: say at mouth of the Tucannon, and one at the 
point where the Tucannon approaches very closely to Snake river. The 
post should be on the Snake. Col. Craig is furnished with the location. 

The distance between Fort Walla Walla and the Tucannon is over 
fifty miles, therefore scouts from these posts should watch this part of the 
line closely. 

.Col. Craig will bring with him pack animals to carry up supplies for 
the interior. At least 5,000 pounds flour, 500 pounds coffee, and 100 
pounds sugar, with small stores; also, bacon, salt, soap, and clothing. 
He may bring transportation for double that amount. 

Measures should be taken to keep open the communication between 
the Nez Perce country and the post at Walla Walla and your command. 

Lieut. Col. B. F. Shaw moves forward in a few days with three 
companies of the 2d regiment to push across the Cascades by the Sno- 
qualmie pass, and thence down the Yakima. 

A post will be established on the summit of the Snoqualmie Pass. 

There will be two posts high up on the western slope to be held by 
Major Van Bokkelin, and one post high up the Yakima, on the eastern 
slope. 

Lieut. Col. Shaw will take general command of operations east of 
the Cascades. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS. 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief, 


254 


[No. 190.] 


Dalles, 0. T.,' June 24th, 1866. 


Capt. F. M. P. Goff, 

Camp on the Columbia: 

Sir :—Capt. A. H. Robie is the quartermaster and commissary of 
the expedition about rendezvouing in the Walla Walla valley, and mov¬ 
ing thither in two columns, one from this point under yonr command, and 
the other under the immediate orders of Lieut. Col. B. F. Shaw, and in 
command of the expedition. 

Capt. A. H. Robie has also, as special agent of the Indian depart¬ 
ment, the charge of a large pack train of Indian snpplies for the service 
of the interior, the men also being under'his control as employees off the 
Indian service. 

You have the military "command of the column moving from this 
point, and in your absence on detached service, ^the command will devolve 
upon Capt. Robie. 

The main object had in view by your command is to escort the In¬ 
dian supplies to the interior, and to establish A depot and] post of/opera- 
tions for the whole command in the Walla Walla valley. 

You will, however, strike the enemy wherever^you may find him, it 
being borne in mind that it is important to reach the Walla Walla in ten 
days, and have in readiness at Fort Walla Walla, the boats now going 
; up to ferry across the Columbia the column under the immediate com¬ 
mand of Lieut. Col. Shaw. 

I am, very respectfully, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Com.-in-Chief, W. T. V. 


[No. 191.] 


Dalles O. T., June 24th, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. Wm. Craig, 

Sub. Indian Agent, Lapwai, Nez Perce country; 

Sir :—The train starts to-morrow morning—40 wagons_80 pack 



255 


animals—with an escort of 115 meu. The whole force, volunteers, quar¬ 
termaster’s employees and Indian employees will be 250 men. They take 
boats to establish a ferry at Fort Walla Walla, where Col. Shaw will 
cross with 200 men. 

It is expected that the whole force will concentrate in the Walla 
Walla valley, say on Mill creek, about the 2d or 3d of July. 

I have a large amount of Indian supplies for you, and can push up a 
train to the Nez Perce country of ninety odd pack animals. The sup¬ 
plies will mostly consist of provisions, flour, sugar, coffee, &c. There 
will be a large amount of ammunition, and a considerable quantity of 
Indian goods. 

For the pennanent service of your agency, there is a special train in 
charge of Hans. Tilton, Esq., and for the main bulk of the supplies, a 
train in charge of Capt. Robie. 

Should it be safe to come to Walla Walla, you will move down with 
the volunteer compauy and with all the pack animals you can raise. 

There will be ten thousand rations of flour, sugar and coffee, and 
small stores for the Indian service, and you can have two thousand pounds 
of bacon. 

Should it not be safe, the train will be pushed up to you with a suit¬ 
able escort. 

On the arrival of “ Capt. John,” you will make your arrangements 
and send an express to the valley, indicating the proper mode of bringing 
up supplies. 

****** 

****** 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEYENS. 

Gov. and Sup. Indian Affairs, W. T. 


[No. 192.] 


Dalits, 0. T., June 30th, 1856. 


Lieut, Col.,B. F. Shaw, 

Com. R. Wing, W. T. V., and in charge of operations east of 
the Cascade Mountains: 

Sir :—The column moving from this point under Capt. Goff, camped 


t 



256 


last night’atJAell Springs, and is expected to reacli the Walla Walla 
valley on Friday evening, July 4th. The force consists of ltO men. The 
train is 42 wagons, 91 pack animals, and about 15 employees ; all the 
packers are employees in the Indian service, and the pack train will be 
used to carry supplies from the Walla Walla to the Nez Perce country. 

An express reached Craig at Lapwai on Saturday, June 28th, ad¬ 
vising him of the probable arrival of the train at Walla Walla, and di¬ 
recting him in case he deemed it safe, to come to the Walla Walla, with 
his company of Nez Perce auxiliaries, and all the pack animals he could 
muster, to take back supplies for the Nez Perces and Spokanes. He was 
informed that 10,000 pounds of flour, 1,600 pounds coffee, 3,000 pounds 
sugar, &c., &c., could be spared. If it were not safe for Craig to leave 
the Nez Perce country, he Was ordered to send word to that effect to the 
Walla Walla, and was informed that the supplies would be pushed up by 
you with our Indian pack train, escorted by a suitable force. 

Capt. A. H. Robie has full instructions from me as to the supplies 
required for the Nez Perces. 

Craig writes me in rather a discouraging tone as to affairs in the 
upper country. The surrounding tribes have threatened to rub out the 
Nez Perces in* case they would not join in the war, and at one time last 
month, the Lawyer said he could rely only upon his own band and the 
people on Salmon river. Since word has reached them of the Walla 
Walla expedition, they have gathered heart, and the war party has lost 
its strength. Garry and the Spokanes on the 23d May, gave a decided 
negative to Kam-i-akin’s overture to join him to drive Col. Wright out of 
the country. 

The hostile Cayuses are with the Spokanes, and the latter have inter¬ 
ceded with me in behalf of the former. 

If the Cayuses will unconditionally submit to the justice of the gov¬ 
ernment and give up the instigators of the war to punishment, there will 
be no difficulty in the matter. It is useless and trifling to exact less. 

Craig has orders as Indian agent, to visit the Spokanes, to explain 
the reason why I cannot go among them this season, and to do every 
thing in his power to conciliate them and prevent their joining the war 
party. He will visit Colville and the Coeur d’Alene mission. 

If it should be necessary in your judgment, you will furnish him with 
an escort. The trip I deem of very great consequence. 

Should the surrounding tribes have combined on your reaching Wal¬ 
la Walla, and have taken a hostile attitude towards the Nez Perces, you 
will take the most decisive measures to nip the combination in the bud. 

Capt. Goff, on his way up to the Walla Walla, is expected, in con¬ 
junction with Major Layton, to strike a band of some three hundred hos- 


t 



257 


tiles at the head of John Day’s river. A band of Snakes is in the party, 
and the Snakes generally are hostile. I hope Layton and Goff will give 
a good account of themselves. 

You will do all you can to keep up your strength in the Walla Wal¬ 
la valley. But the troops whose terms of service will expire the last of 
this month, will be returned home by the Columbia- valley, and will escort 
to the Dalles the wagon train, expept such few wagons as will be required 
in the valley and on the return of the troops. 

They should pass to the Willamette valley by the emigrant road. 

You should send a staff officer ahead, in order that arrangements for 
supplies at this- point may be made. 

Be sure to express often to this point. I have secured the services 
of McIntosh as expressman. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


|_No. 193] 

Camp on Wenass, June 22d, 1856. 

James Tilton, Esq., 

Adj. General W. T. V., Olympia : 

Sir : —x arrived here on 20th inst., without loosing more than one 
animal, the road being good for a mountain road. 

Immediately on my arrival, I sent out scouting parties in all directions 
so as to gain all the information that could be obtained. The men all re¬ 
turned last evening without seeing any Indians, but found Col. Wright 
encamped on the upper Yakima, with eight companies of regulars. I re¬ 
ceived no information through that officer, but learned through -the camp 
that Col. Wright had held a council at which the following chiefs were 
present : Owhi,Te-i-as, Tquaiston, alias Owhi’s son, Sha-wy-wv, Yak- 
iinas. Leschi, Kitsap, and Nelson, and some other Sound, Indians that 
are of less importance among the Indians. 

33 



258 


\ 


The Col. failed to make a treaty with them, and on receiving his pro¬ 
posals the Indians left for parts unknown. It is, however, rumored that 
Leschi and some others have crossed over to the west side of the mount¬ 
ains again. This is uncertain, but may be true. It would be well to 
keep a good lookout for them, and also to offer a good reward for the 
heads of all these chiefs. Blankets will turn any Indians on the side of 
the whites. Give this information to all the troops so that they may all 
be ready in case the information proves true. 

I shall remain here a few days, a!nd send out scouts on the different 
trails, and learn if possible where the Indians have gone. If I find they • 
have gone east, I will move to Walla Walla. I will remain here five or 
six days, and if, in that time, I find the Indians, will attack them. 

The men are in good health, and the animals look as well as can be 
expected on such a trip. 

Respectfully, &c., 

(Signed,) . B. F. SHAW, 

Lieut. Col. Com’dg. Right Wing, W. T. V. 


[No. 194.] 

Camp Opposite Fort Walla Walla, > 
July 1st, 1856. > 

James Tilton, Esq., 

Adj't Gen. V/. T. V., Olympia 

Sir :—Since I addressed you on the 22d ult., the command has con¬ 
tinued marching until its arrival yesterday at this place. 

We continued down the Wenass river until near its mouth, meeting 
with very little sign of Indians, and that old, and then turned into the 
valley of the Yakima, crossed over the Attanam and Naeliess until near 
the big bend of the Yakima, when we struck directly across the country 
in a N. 50° E. direction, and struck the Columbia about the mouth of the 
Umatilla, 25 miles below this place. We saw no Indians until yesterday, 
and the cattle trails encountered on the route went in all directions, so 
that it was impossible to tell which way the Indians had gone, and were 
also of old date. 



259 


Yesterday, as the command was descending a hill towards the river, 
two canoes were seen in the water manned by four Indians, and heavily 
loaded. At this point there is a long Island, and the canoes were on the 
side nearest to us. I tried to induce them to c6me to us, but finding that 
they would not, ordered the men to fire on them in hopes of driving them 
from their canoes. The distance was great, upwards of 500 yards, but 
the firing was so well directed that they were forced to abandon one ca¬ 
noe, and the other received several bullet holes. None of them were 
hurt, and they all succeeded in escaping. Private Walker, of Miller’s 
command, then swam across, and brought the canoe over, in which we 
found their provisions, bows and arrows and various, small articles. I 
think that they were Chimpnapams, a branch of the Walla Walla tribe, 
and that they came down that river. 

Capt. Goff has not yet arrived, nor are the boats here, but I think 
he must be on the road, as one of our scouts sent from the camp on the 
river preceding this, from the top of a high hill, saw far on the opposite 
side of the river, a great dust, which, from the direction, I think must 
have been the Captain’s train advancing along the emigrant road. 

As soon as Capt Goff arrives, I intend to send for the chiefs of the 
Nez Perces and some other Indians, probably Spokanes, and also send 
sconts out, and by them I shall undoubtedly find out iu what direction 
the hostile Indians have really gone. My own opinion is that they have 
scattered all over the valleys of the upper Columbia near Okinagan, 
Priest’s Rapids, Paiouse country, &c., and piobably some of them may 
go to the buffalo country. 

I should have mentioned above that my reason for coming across the 
country direct, was that I was informed by Cols, Casey and Wright that 
the regular troops were amply sufficient for the Yakima and west side of 
the mountains, so that this is the only ground open to me. The express- 
man can give the various details which it is impossible to put in here. 
Should anything important occur I will write you fully upon it. 


* * * * 

* 

* * * 

* * * * 

* 

5{C * * 

Respectfully, 



(Signed,) 


B. F. SHAW, 

Lieut. Col. Com’dg. 

Right Wing, 2d Reg. W. T. Y. 


260 


[No. 195.] 


Executive Office, Ter. Washington, 
Olympia, July 21st, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. B. E. Shaw, 

Comd’g forces W. T. Y. east of the Cascades: 

Sir :—Your communication of the 12th inst., is received. I am 
much gratified with your success in reaching the Walla Walla valley. 

Your council with the Nez Perces was the proper steps to take, and 
cannot but produce good results. The Nez Perces have always been firm 
friends of the whites, and I am sure they will ever remain so. I shall 
regard the Spotted Eagle as a great chief. His people recognized him 
as such, and he does not lose his rank by aiding the Americans in this 
war. The great chiefs of the Nez Perces have long since fought side by 
side with the American trappers and hunters against the Blackfeet and 
other tribes, and furthermore, it was necessary that the Nez Perces 
should organize as volunteers in order to protect themselves and their 
friends, the Americans, in their own country. You can say this to the 
Spotted Eagle, and the Nez Perces—that we shall always be friends, and 
that I justly appreciate their services. 

I shall send to you for the army 20,000 pounds flour, 5,000 pounds 
bacon, 2,000 pounds coffee, 4,000 pounds sugar, and small stores to cor¬ 
respond, if they can possibly be procured. 

The same amount, excepting the bacon, will be sent up for the Indi¬ 
an service. But little bacon can be sent you. You must depend mainly 
on beef. Beef should be killed and dried immediately for the use of 
scouting parties. 

As you have fresh and dried beef, rations of flour for the army must 
be reduced to two-thirds or one-half pound per day. There is great diffi¬ 
culty in purchasing supplies for scrip. 

The Indian provisions are consigned to special agent A. H. Robie. 
The object of these provisions is two-fold. Erst, in order to supply the 
Nez Perce Agency. Second, to supply the Indians who may surrender 
and be collected in the Walla Walla valley. 

It is of the utmost importance that Col. Craig should visit the Spo- 
kanes, and other' tribes in that region, in accordance with the instructions 
I have given him. I have directed him to call upon you for such escort 
he may require, and you will furnish it on his requisition. 

I have written Col. Craig about the Indian goods and supplies sent 
to him. 

Your proposed movements are approved, and I trust you will be able 


2G1 


to strike the enemy severely, and afterwards get them in on terms of un¬ 
conditional surrender. 

!• rom unofficial information I learn that a large number of Yakima 
Indians have surrendered to Col. Wright, including several of their chiefs. 

Kam-i-akin still holds out, 

I hope that Col. W right will occupy the W^alla WAlla valley in the 
course of six or eight weeks, and thus relieve the volunteers from further 
continuance there. 

Everything is quiet on the Sound, and the volunteer forces, except¬ 
ing those on the line of the Snohomish, are being disbanded. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 196.] 


Head Quarters, Mill Creek, 
July 26, 1856. 


Gov. I. I. Stevens, 

Com.-in-Chief W. T. Volunteers, Olympia: 

Sir 

* * * * * * , * * 

* * * * * * 

On the 24th I arrived here in the evening, and found that Mr. 
Robie had just preceded me from the Nez Perces country by about two 
hours. He brought me the disagreeable intelligence that the Nez Perces 
had shown a hostile disposition: said that they wished no white man in 
their country, and moreover, that the treaty was broken. Pearson told 
him that they were painting, beating their drums and dancing war dances 
all night, 

Pierre Mortia, Howlish, Wampoo and several Nez Perces accom¬ 
panied Mr. Robie. 

I had a talk with these men, and then sent Capt, John with a mes¬ 
sage to the Nez Perce chiefs. 



262 


I told them that I did not come to fight the Nez Perces, but the hos¬ 
tile Indians. That I was tired of persuading people to be peaceable, and 
that if their drums beat for war we would parade for battle. That we 
would be friendly if they were friendly, and if hostile, we could be hostile 
too. That they had said that they were willing for Gov. Stevens to send 
men through their country, and that if he thought proper he would do so. 
I am expecting his return every day. 

Yesterday I sent the wagon train and pack animals to the Dalles, 
under command of Capt. Robie, accompanied by Capt. Hennes’s company, 
whose term is just out, and Major Maxon’s, who have still about 18 days 
to serve, but as they were very anxious to go, I thought it best to let 
them depart. 

I sent no escort with them to protect them on their return, for I had 
not the men to spare. I am now left here with four companies, viz : 
Goff’s, William’s, Miller’s, and Powel’s, in all about 150 men and offi¬ 
cers. The 8th September will see the last man of this force disbanded, 
and there is no probability of a single man re-enlisting, at least for the 
present. There are now, even, some forty men in Goff’s company, who 
claim to receive their discharges at the end of three months, and should 
this be the case, their time will be out in a very few days. 

If, therefore, you would wish to keep up this force, it would be well 
to set to work recruiting at once. 

It would be advisable to raise new companies at once for six months, 
to have them well armed and equipped with revolvers, and forward to the 
scene of operations at once. 

I am now about to construct block-houses here for the storing and 
protection of the quartermaster’s and commissarie’s stores here, and ex¬ 
pected by the train. 

I shall do every thing in my power to gather such Indians as are not 
hostile into a reservation. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

(Signed,) B. F. SHAW, 

Lt. Col. Com’dg. Expedition to Walla Walla. 



263 


[No. 191.] 

Camp Mill Creek, July 26th, 1856. 

Lieut. Col. Shaw, 

Commanding Southern Battalion W. T. V.: 

Dear Sir : — On the 22d June I took up the line of march for 
Walla Walla valley, with my own and Company K, numbering ninety-six 
men, and accompanied by Capt. Richard’s company, (N,) of sixty men, 
in all 156 men, under my command. Leaving Fifteen Mile Creek, we 
crossed the Deschutes river and encamped on the Columbia where the 
road leaves it. * * * * * * 

* * * * * * 

* * Pursuing the usual route to the Walla Walla, on the 

30th reached Butter creek, and struck camp with the wagons, ordering 
them to remain there until I returned from a march which I expected to 
make against a band of Indians which X understood was encamped some 
thirty miles from Well springs Started at dark with sixty men, and two 
days’ rations, and travelled all night, reaching Willow creek at sunrise. 
After taking some refreshment, we moved to the South Fork of the same 
creek, thence up it about fifteen miles, and stopped to rest ourselves and 
animals. At sundown we took up our line of march for the Camas Prai¬ 
rie, where our Indian guide thought we would find the Indians. 

On the 2d July, moved on util 10 o’clock, P. M., when we struck 
Camas prairie, but found no Indians, although we saw immense trails 
traversing the country in all directions. 

Here we ate our entire stock of provisions, and then started for the 
wagon train, which we reached on the 4th, having travelled some 180 
miles in 112 hours. 

***** * 

On the 5th, an express arrived from Major Layton, (0. T. volun¬ 
teers,) stating that he had overtaken a large band of Indians on the head 
of John Day’s river, which he did not think it prudent to attack, as they 
so much outnumbered his command, and soliciting aid from me. I accor¬ 
dingly moved the train to the springs on the Umatilla five miles above, 
and spent the evening in making arrangements to start to his relief the 
following day. 

On the 6th, left with 54 of my men, and 14 of Company N, under 
Lieut. Estes, leaving the train in charge of Lieut. Williams, of Co. N. 
Reached Layton’s encampment on the 9th, about noon, but the Indians 
had taken the hint and left two or three hours previous. 

Remained there until the morning of the 11th, when the two com- 


264 


raands moved on in pursuit of the Indians, travelled up John Day’s river 
some fifteen miles to Red Bluffs and camped, sending a scout ahead at 
night to a camp where our guides thought there might be some Indians. 

The 12th, the scout having returned, stating there were no Indians 
encamped there, we took up the line of march on the left hand trail the 
trails dividing here—and traveled about ten miles, when Lieut. Hunter, 
who had had charge of the advance guard, came in sight of several Indi¬ 
ans on horseback, whom he pursued at full speed, causing them to aban¬ 
don one horse, which he captured. We then struck camp on a small 
creek, in what is probably Eureka valley. 

13th—I was compelled to remain in camp on account of having been 
taken violently ill on the day before, but being unwilling for the Indians 
to escape, I sent Lieut. Hunter with twenty-eight men, accompanied by 
Major Layton and forty-five men, to pursue and stop them if possible, 
keeping the residue of my command with myself. 

On the 14th, I remained in camp, quite sick. On the 15th, started 
on the trail, following Lieut. Hunter. The 16th—Continued up John 
Day’s river on the trail—traveled till midnight, and camped on the sum¬ 
mit of the Blue Mountains. 

11th—Started early, and on descending the mountain, struck the 
head of Burnt river, where we found Lieut. Hunter, and Layton’s com¬ 
mand, from the first of whom I gathered the following particulars of a 
battle which they had had with the Indians at that place : 

Major Layton and Lieut. Hunter had arrived there on the 15th, and 
had struck camp, when three men proposed going on to an adjacent bluff, 
and taking a view of the surrounding country. The Lieutenant told them 
they had better not go, as there was danger of Indians ; they however 
started, but had not reached the top of the bluff, when they were fired 
upon by some Indians, who were in ambush near the summit, and two of 
them killed—Mr. Daniel Smith, private of Co. K, and John Estes, 2d 
Lieut, of Co. N, the third, Mr. Richards, of Co. K, made his almost mi¬ 
raculous escape through their fire, having his gun set off by a bullet, from 
an Indian’s gun. The firing being heard from camp, some eight or ten 
men started to their, relief, meeting Richards a short distance from camp. 
The Indians immediately made their appearance all over the hill, where¬ 
upon Lt. Hunter took ten men and charged them off the hill, recovering 
the bodies of the murdered men. Night now came on, and the Indians 
kept the camp surrounded, to prevent an express from being sent out. 

Next morning the Indians were still on three sides of the camp, and 
orders were given for opportunities to shoot from camp. Major Layton 
placed some men at the mouth of a canyon to prevent- the Indians from 




265 


coming out and firing into camp. Lieut. Hunter placed some men at a 
point near tlae mouth of a canyon to prevent the Indians from coming out, 
when, by some means, some Indians came by or through the canyon, and 
creeping up within a short distance of the above-mentioned point, shot 
one of my men (James Cherry) in the leg; after which, Lieut. Hunter 
charged the Indians, which resulted in routing them from their positions, 
killing three Indians, and wounding one, and also, killing one horse. The 
firing continued until 3 o’clock, when the balance of Major Layton’s com¬ 
mand came up and were surrounded by the, Indians, when Lt. Hunter, 
with seven men, charged through and met them, when they’ ail came into 
camp. 

After the arrival of reinforcements, a brisk fire was kept up until 
about 6 o’clock, which resulted in the killing of .four more Indians. 

The next morning there were a few Indians to be seen on the bluff, 
but no shots fired. About 8 o’clock, the hill was triumphantly amended, 
and our flag planted on the highest pinnacle, while the last Indian was 
seen making good his retreat to the mountains. 

On the 18th, the whole command left the battle ground, and march¬ 
ing down the valley of Burnt river, on the 19th, struck the emigrant 
road at the river crossing, forty miles below the battle ground. From 
this point we marched by the usual trail to the Umatilla, and thence 
to head quarters, w r hich we reached on the 25th. 

(Signed,) F. M. P. GOFF, 

Capt. Com’g. Column en route for Head Quarters, W. T. V. 


\ 


[No. 198.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, ) 
Olympia, Aug. 2d, 1856. ) 

Lieut. Col. B. F. Shaw, 

Commanding Expedition to Walia Walla : 

Sir :—In general orders of this date, thanks are returned to yourself, 
the officers and men of your command for their intrepid conduct at the 
battle of Grande Ronde and Burnt rivers. 

34 




266 


I shall issue iny proclamation calling out two companies; consisting 
eacli of one Captain, three Lieutenants, four Sergeants, four Corporals 
and one hundred privates ; one to be raised on the Sound and the other 
on the Columbia river. 

But it is possible that all difficulties may be brought to a close by 
prompt and decisive measures of pacification. It is well to attempt it, 
seeing that by the vigorous blows of our troops, the Indians must know 
that the whites will prevail in the contest. 

I have therefore determined to go in person to the Walla Walla, to 
meet in a general council all the tribes still peaceful, the Nez Perces and 
Spokanes, and all other tribes who are disposed to change their condition 
from hostility to friendship. 

As regards the hostiles, the only terms are unconditional submission, 
and the rendition to punishment of instigators to war, and of murderers. 

On the receipt of this communication you will immediately send ex¬ 
presses to all the tribes, calling upon them to meet at a'general council 
to be held at your camp in Walla Walla on the 25th of the present 
month. 

Send expresses to the hostiles, but stating if they come in, it will be 
the terms of absolute submission. 

It will be easy, if we succeed in this general pacification, to disband 
the troops which may be' raised under my proclamation. If we do not 
succeed, the troops will be in the field to occupy the Walla Walla and 
maintain American ascendency in the interior. 

I shall be at the Dalles Thursday, August 14th. ,1 have asked Col. 
Wright to accompany me to Walla Walla, and have urged hi m to send 
forward to that point three companies of regulars including all his mounted 
men. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 199.] 

Head Quarters, Mill Creek, ) 
August 1st, 1856. ) 

Lieut. Col. Wax. Craig, 

Lapwai, Nez Perce Country : 

Sir Your letter of 28th and 29th July was received as well as 



267 


translations of the speeches made by the Nez Perce Chiefs in council. 
These I have sent to the Governor, tho’ I would not be surprised if he 
would come up here on receiving the news of the hostile attitude taken by 
the Nez Perces before. 

We killed about forty of the enemy at the Grande Ronde, and among 
them four or five squaws, who were mistaken by the boys for bucks, in 
the dust and smoke. Whenever they were recognised as squaws they 
were suffered to escape. I understand that the enemy report that we 
killed more squaws and children than men. This was not so, to my own 
knowledge. 

I sent by Capt. John , “a talk” for Lawyer and the head chiefs of the 
Nez Perces, and also a message for the hostile tribes, the Cay uses, Walla 
Wallas and Utillas. This message I wish translated to them. Now with 
regard to the hostiles, I distinctly say this— 

From two squaws captured in the battle, I understood that there 
were many in the battle who did not wish to fight, but were overruled by 
the hostile portion. 

Now let all these people come in if, they do not wish to fight and 
they will be kindly treated. Those who have been hostile will receive a 
fair trial—if found innocent they will be discharged and treated as friends; 
if found guilty they will be disposed of as the Governor shall direct. 

Let some chief, or two chiefs, come to me with some of the Nez Per¬ 
ces, and whether hostile or not they shall be safe, and if we are unable to 
agree on terms they shall return safe as they came. 

The two best men to send to the hostile camp would be Stickas and 
Les-hall, alias Tow-watty’s son, as these stand well with both parties.— 
Let Stickas and Tow-watty’s son say to those who may wish to come in, 
that inasmuch as they may be threatened by the hostiles that I will have 
a force here to protect them against the hostiles, and will do it. 

Stickas can say to Wi-nan-pish-noot that he had better be one of 
those who come in, as I think he is disposed to peace. 

If they come, let them come'quickly. If I have to hunt them up, I 
will know that they are bad people and will wipe them out. 

If they propose peace, we will have a cessation of arms—have a 
council, and will send for the Governor to be present. 

If anything important should happen, send me word by Capt. John, 
immediately. You had better send me an express in a few days anwhow. 
I shall always be glad to hear from you. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

B. F. SHAW, 

Lieut. Col. Going. Expedition to Walla Walla. 


(Signed,) 


268 


£ No. 200. ] 

Head Quarters, Mile Creek, ) 
August 1st, 185 G. ) 

Letter addressed to Lawyer , 

or the Head Chiefs of the Nez Perce Nation: 

My Friends : — I received your letters by the hand of Capt. John 
and two other head men. The letters, I have forwarded to Governor Ste¬ 
vens according to your wish. You send .me your hearts and they are 
right. You speak like men, not like boys. I now know your hearts are 
right. I now send you my heart. I did net come, here to take my gun 
to fight our friends, the Nez Force people. I will take my gun to fight 
any other people that are mad with the Nez Perces for what they have 
done for the Americans. 

You may rest assured that our hearts are all right, as yours are 
right. I will not. be the first to do wrong. 

I was sent here by Qov. Stevens to speak good to the good people 
and to fight the bad. -I did not come to speak to men .whose hands are 
bloody with our friends’ blood. 

I wish you to deliver the following message to the Cayuse and Wal¬ 
la Wallas, and Utiilas: 

All the good people can now come in to this post and they will have 
protection. Those that wish to continue in war can do so. If, however, 
they are all tired of war and wish to come in, they can do so. All those 
who have been engaged in battle with the Americans will receive a fair 
trial, and if found innocent, they will be treated as friends ; if guilty, the 
Governor will say what the punishment will be. If they should want to 
come, in, they can send'in one chief first, along with some of the Nez 
Perce people, They will be permitted to come and go whether hostile or 
not, so that they wish to speak with me. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) B. F. SHAW, 

Lt. Col., Com’g. Expedition to Walla Walla. 


[No. 201.] 


Gov. I. I. Stevens, 


Head Quarters, Fort Mason, ) 
August 14th, 1856. ) 


Sm : ibe expressman A. McIntosh has just arrived with your com- 



269 


munication. Your instructions relative to seudiug expresses to the dif¬ 
ferent Indian tribes shall be attended to immediately. 

I shall make all the necessary preparations for a council. 

I suppose that this will meet you at the Dalles, and therefore I shall 
soon-see you and be able to confer more fully. 

I am in possession of a note from a Mr. Ruble, which informs me 
that there is a body of immigrants coming to the Territory, and I am 
about making up a party to go and meet them. I must wait till I can 
get provisions here, and have sent to Mr. Robie to send them immediate¬ 
ly. Push them forward as soon as possible. 

Everything is quiet here. No Indians to be seen. 

I think, that your place of a grand council is a splendid one, and it 
will ho doubt be well attended. 

Very respectfully, &c., 

(Signed,) B. F. SHAW, 

Lt. Col., Com ? g. Expedition to Walla Walla. 


[No. 202.] 

Head Quarters, Fort Mason, \ 
August 14th, 1856. ) 

Lieut. Col. Wm. Cr^ig, 

Lapwai, Nez Perce Nation : 

Sir :—I received your express by Joe and Richard, and as I was 
daily in expectation of receiving an express from the Governor, have de¬ 
tained them up to the present time. 

The express was delayed by an accident and only arrived this morn¬ 
ing. 

I received a letter from the Governor announcing that he was on his 
way to the Dalles, where he expected to be to-day, and would come up to 
this place in order to hold a council with the friendly Indians. 

He directs me to send expresses to all the friendly tribes, including 
the Spokanes, Nez Perces, Palouses, friendly Cayuses and Walla Wallas, 
to meet him in council on the 25th of this month, in order to have a grand 
talk with them. He also sends messages to those who have been hereto¬ 
fore hostile, which is, that they too, can come to the council. If a treaty 



270 


is made with them, it must be on terms of unconditional surrender to the 
mercy of the government. 

The Governor has invited Col. Wright to accompany him to the 
council, and it may be possible that he will come with a body of regular 
troops. 

You will therefore send runners to the different tribes, informing 
them of the appointment of the council and inviting them to attend at the 
time appointed. 

The Governor says nothing to me about your comiug, but I should 
think it necessary for you to do so, as your services would be indispensa¬ 
ble as interpreter. 

The Governor has called by proclamation for 200 more volunteers, 
to fill the place of those whose term is expiring, and he is determined to 
keep a force in the valley sufficient to control the interior in case peace is 
not made. 

We have information here by private letters that there is a body of 
emigrants on the road to Oregon, and I am requested by some persons 
who have relations among them, to do everything in my power to see them 
through safe. 

Now, if possible, I would be glad if you could send some Nez Perces 
to meet them and return, so that I could meet them in time to protect 
them through the hostile country. It would be well for you to write to 
them and advise them to stop at the Salmon river settlement until I can 
receive an express through. 


Respectfully, 

B. F. SHAW, 

Lt. Col., Com’g. Expedition to Walla Walla. 


|No. 203.] 



To the Chiefs and Head Men of the Nez Perce , Spokane, and other f riendly 


Tribes: 


The Governor directs me to say to you, that he will be here, at my 
camp, on the 25tli of this mouth, and invites you to meet him in council 



271 


on that day. He is very anxious to see his old friends and talk to therh 
about their future welfare. He wants to see all the chiefs of all the tribes. 

He has invited Col. Wright, a soldier chief, to come with him. The 
message which I have already sent to the hostiles by Stickas, is the same 
as the Governor sends. 

The Governor wishes to renew his friendship with the Yez Perces 
and Spokanes and other friends, and says that he will continue to war 
with those who are at war, until they surrender unconditionally to the 
Government. 

If any of the hostiles come, let them come without guns. 

The best thing therefore they can do is to send some chiefs into the 
council to see the Governor and talk with him. They shall not be hurt 
while in my camp, or in coming to it or going from it, as this is a council 
called to talk in friendship ; therefore, it shall be peace while that council 
exists. 

I do not know what the Governor will say, and therefore I say, come 
and hear for yourselves, 

(Signed,) B. P. SHAW, 


[m. 204.] 

Head Quarters, W. T. Volunteers, Fort Mason, > 
Walla Walla Valley, August 23d, 1856. J 

Lieut. Col. Wm. Craig, 

Sub. Indian Agent, Lapwai, Nez Perce‘Country : 

Sir ; — j reached Col- Shaw’s camp about 3 p. m. to-day and found 
letters from you to Col. Shaw, and your messenger, Joe. 

Joe returns to-night and will reach you to-morrow. 

I do not anticipate that it will be practicable to get the Indians 
here, even as early as the 2?th, the day you mention. It is desirable to 
get a good representation here of the friendly tribes, and all the hostiles, 
provided the latter will come in on the terms of unconditional submission 
to the justice and mercy of the Government. If the Palouses, Yakimas 
and Cayuses, with their chiefs, shall present themselves at the council 
ground, they will be treated well, and the course which the Government 



272 


will pursue on their delivering themselves up, will then be made known to 
them. 

You may find it necessary to express again to the several tribes, and 
I will advise it. Let us do the whole business thoroughly and see if an 
arrangement cannot be made which will end the war. 

I shall expect to see Dr. Lansdale here with you, for I cannot doubt 
that he will come through safe. 

At this very moment I hear the word “here is ‘Capt. John,’” and I 
will wait till I learn what news he brings. 

Capt. John brings a letter from you to Col. Shaw, referring the latter 
to Capt. John for news as to the hostiles. 

Capt. John states, the Spokanes will not probably come, that most 
of the Nez Perces will be here, but without their women. That the prom¬ 
inent chiefs of the Cayuses desire to come in, but Wild-Cat and several 
other young fellows are for war. That Kamiakin will come in if desired 
to do so by Looking Glass. 

If this be correct, it will be necessary for you to express to the Spo¬ 
kanes again and to send my word to them, asking them to come to the council. 

The presence of Kamiakin, his chiefs and people is desired, provided 
they will attend the council on terms of unconditional submission to the 
justice and mercy of the Government. 

Send also to the Cceur d’ Alenes, asking the attendance of their 
chiefs, and inviting Father Raville to come with them. 

You are expected as a matter of course to attend the council with 
the Nez Perces, and it is suggested, that if practicable, you make your 
arrangements on the conclusion of the council, to go below—execute your 
official bond, and get funds and supplies for your agency during the fall. 

Truly yours, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Sup’t. 


LNo. 205.] 

Head Quarters, Fort Mason, ) 
August 23d, 1856. j 

Lieut. Col. Wm. Craig, 

Special Indian Agent, Lapwai, Nez Perce Nation : 

Sir :—The Governor arrived here this evening with a small pack 
train of Indian goods. The main pack train is en route to this place. 





273 


lour messenger, Capt. John, arrived here this evening also, and we 
gathered the following information from him : that the Cayuses are divi¬ 
ded, eight chiefs for peace and five for war; that the peace party had 
started to come in, but that the hostiles had cut the packs from their hor¬ 
ses, but that they were going to start again, and that if the hostiles inter¬ 
rupted them, intended to fight among themselves. He also informs me 
that Kamiakin had sent word to Looking Glass that he would do what¬ 
ever Looking Glass advised him to do. 

We have invited none of the hostiles to come in, but if they do come, 
they shall be well treated and suffered to come and go with impunity. 

As Kamiakin has made Looking Glass his counsel he can advise him 
accordingly. It is unnecessary to add more, as the Governor has written 
you in full on this subject. 

Respectfully, 

(Signed,) B. F. SHAW, 

Lt. Col., Com’g. Expedition to Walla Walla. 


[No. 206.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, ) 
Olympia, Oct. 19th, 1855. j 

Charles Eaton, Esq., 

Sir :—You are hereby authorized and requested, as soon as possible, 
to form a company of rangers, to consist of one Captain, one 1st and two 
2d Lieutenants, four Sergeants, four Corporals, and thirty privates. In 
case you deem it necessary, you are authorized to increase your command 
to forty privates. 

It will be the duty of such company to range along the base of the 
Cascade mountains on the western side, to keep a sharp look out upon the 
various trails, and intercept any communication that my be carried on be¬ 
tween the Indians on the east and those on the west side of the mountains. 

Should you ass'ent to the above, as soon as your company is organ¬ 
ized you will report for duty, when further instructions will be given. 

Very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

C. H. MASON, 

Acting Gov. Washington Territory. 


35 



274 


[No. 207.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, ) 
Olympia, Oct. 20th, 1855. ) 

Capt. Gilmore Hays, 

Commanding Puget Sound Mounted Yolunteers : 

Sir —Your company having been organized, you will proceed at the 
earliest moment to Fort Steilacoom and report to the commanding officer 
your readiness to unite with the regular troops from that post, and to co¬ 
operate with them in the operations against the Yakima tribe of Indians. 
I am, sir, 

Your obedient servant, 

C. H. MASON, 

Acting Gov. Washington Territory. 


[No. 208.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, ) 
Olympia, Oct. 23d, 1855. } 

Capt. C. Eaton, 

Commanding Mounted Rangers: 

Sir :—In my letter of appointment to you of the 19th of October, I 
stated that further instructions would be given when you reported your 
organization complete and your company ready for duty. 

In the fulfilment of the duty assigned you, I rely upon your discre¬ 
tion, and will only give general instructions, looking to the details to be 
suggested by yourself. 

1st. You will divide your command into three or more parties or 
squads, placing a judicious officer in charge of each, and having a clear 
understanding as to your rendezvous and movements; or, should you think 
it better for the public service, you will scour the country with your whole 
command. 

These parties will scout the whole country between the Snoqualmie 
pass and the southern pass of the Cascades south of Mt. Rainier or Lewis 
river pass, looking into each of these passes and intercepting any Indians 



275 


that may be found traveling the mountains from the seat of war, and also 
all who may be found communicating from the tribes inhabiting the coun¬ 
try west of the mountains. 

You will endeavor to preserve quiet amongst the tribes living to the 
west of the mountains, and do not permit your command to commit any 
act which will have a tendency to cause tribes who may now be friendly, 
to become hostile. 

You will despatch expresses to this office as frequently as possible, 
informing me of everything you may deem of importance and communicate 
the orders you have given to your squads, and in a word, keep this office 
fully informed of your movements and of what disposition you find the In¬ 
dians, &e. 

You will keep an account of all supplies of forage and provisions you 
may take or receive from any source. 

Should you meet any unusual or suspicious assemblage of Indians, 
you will disarm them, and should they resist, disperse them, and put any 
who resist or use violence to death, or send them to Fort Steilacoom in 
irons, or bound as you may deem best. 

Any Yakima Indians or other savage of the tribes now at war whom 
you may discover west of the Cascades, acting as an emissary to incite 
the tribes now at peace to join the war party, you will hang. 

You will endeavor to persuade all the Indians you find near the 
western base of the Cascades to remove west toward the Sound, that they 
may be farther removed from the dangerous neighborhood of the hostile 
tribes. You wiJl thus be enabled to discriminate between those who are 
friendly and those who are not. Those who remove will thereby show 
that they have no communication with the Yakimas, and those who do 
not are to be watched and punished if detected in any understanding with 
the enemy, informing them of the choice they have and the danger they 
are in of being treated as enemies should they remain so near the seat of 
war. 

All arms and ammunition you may take from the savages you will 
send to Olympia, to this office. 

You will furnish each of the officers commanding detached squads 
with instructions based upon these orders and upon your reports to this of¬ 
fice, or in my absence, to the Adjutant General at Olympia. 

I am, sir, respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

C. H. MASON, 

Acting Gov. Washington Territory. 


276 


[No. 209.] 


Steilacoom, Oct. 30th, 1855. 


James Tilton, Esq., 

Adjutant General Washington Territory : 

Sir :—I have the honor to report for service against the Indians, 
one company of volunteers, raised in this county, numbering 40 all told. 
Notwithstanding this company has been raised according to the proclama¬ 
tion, still we hope that our services may be accepted, and that we may be 
placed on the same footing .with the rest of the volunteers. I herewith 
transmit a list of the officers elected. 

W. H. WALLACE, 

Captain. 


(No. 210.] 

Connell’s Prairie, Nov. 3d, 1855, 

lion. C. H. Mason, 

Acting Gov. Washington Territory : 

Sir : — At about 9 o’clock this morning, one hundred men, fifty regu¬ 
lars under Lieut. Slaughter, and fifty of the Puget Sound volunteers, en¬ 
gaged from one hundred to two hundred Indians on the White river. The 
Indians fought rather bravely in the early part of the engagement, but 
were deterred after an hour’s fight, by the deadly fire poured into their 
ranks by rifle and musketry. We estimate their loss at thirty men. Our 
loss was one man killed and one wounded slightly. Lieut. Slaughter de¬ 
serves credit for his deliberation and his remarkable efficiency during the 
fight, as also my 1st and 2d Lieutenants, Hurd and Martin. The volun¬ 
teers under my command acted nobly. There was not one who did not 
perform his whole duty. 

GILMORE HAYS, 

Capt. Puget Sound Volunteers. 



277 

[Nr>. 211.] 

Executive Office, Olympia, ) 
November 9th, 1855. ) 

Capt. G. Hays, 

Com’g. Company B, W. T. Volunteers : 

Sir : — Your report of the very creditable affair of White river, gave 
profound satisfaction to myself and all the relations, friends and acquain¬ 
tances of your company, in Olympia and its vicinity. 

It only fulfilled my expectations of the efficiency of your command, 
based upon what I observe, in their prompt response to the call for volun¬ 
teers, and the known character of many of them. 

Their gallant conduct in action, and patient endurance of all the pri¬ 
vations of a campaign, it will be my agreeable duty to make known to the 
inhabitants of a Territory of which they are the flower. 

I shall take especial pleasure in giving publicity to the names of any 
of your command,^who may have been so fortunate as to distinguish them¬ 
selves in a conflict, where according to Capt. Maloney’s report it is impos¬ 
sible to say “who were gallant where all were gallant 

Yours, respectfully, 

C. H. MASON, 

Acting Gov. Washington Territory. 


[No. 212.] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, Nov. 9th, 1855. 


Capt. Eaton, 

Com’g. Company Mounted Rangers : 

Sir :—You are hereby instructed to report to Capt. M. Maloney for 
orders. 

You will co-operate with the command of Capt. Maloney with your 
whole force, until further orders from either Capt. Maloney or this office. 

Respectfully, 

J. TILTON, 

Adjutant General W. T. V. 

By order of the Acting Governor. 



278 


[No. 213.] 


Office-Adjutant General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, Nov. 9th, 1855. 


Capt. W. H. Wallace, 

Com’g. Company D, W. T. Volunteers : 

Sir Yon will report for orders to Capt. M. Maloney and co-ope¬ 
rate with him in the campaign. 

Capt. Maloney has been informed of the intention of this office to 
strengthen his command to the utmost that it is .possible. 

Please report your movements before reporting to Capt. Maloney, 
and also the effective force of your command, the number of horses, char¬ 
acter of arms, Ac. 

1 have the honor to be, 

Very respectfully, Ac., 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adjutant General W. T. V. 

By order of the Acting Governor. 


[No. 214.] 

Camp Montgomery, Nov. 11th, 1855. 

Hon. C. H. Mason, 

Acting Governor Washington Territory: 

Sir :—On the 4th inst., one hundred and twenty-five men—fifty reg¬ 
ulars, fifty Puget Sound Mounted volunteers, and twenty-five Wallace’s 
company, marched against the Indians on Green river. In descending 
the Green river hill, one of their sentinels shot one of the guides, Mr. 
Burge, wounding him slightly. We could see them in the river bottom. 
We pursued and coming up with their rear, they fired into our ranks and 
we into theirs. We continued our pursuit on the run, charging them 
wherever found in the bush until dark. We then laid down on our arms 
in mud and rain until morning. In the after part of the night our senti¬ 
nels could see them moving. When day-light came, we found a part of 
their force ambuscaded in the drift wood and brush, prepared to fire and 
run. I ordered Lieut. Hurd to charge them on the left over a deep 



279 


slough, the river on the right being too deep, but afterwards countermand¬ 
ed the order, knowing full well that in the charge we would loose more 
men than the enemy. They were prepared to fire and run. We returned 
to camp. On the next day we routed a party on the Upper Puyallup. 
We approached them by two routes. The volunteers under my command 
by one, and Lieut. Slaughter, U. S. A., with fifty regulars and 10 of 
Wallace’s company by the other. The enemy were gone however except 
some few of their number who ambushed Lieut. Slaughter’s party, killing 
one and wounding four others, all of whom I think will recover. No- 
blame can attach to Lieut. Slaughter. ***** 

Very respectfully, 

G. HAYS, 

Capt. P. S. M. Volunteers, W. T. 


[ No. 215. J 


Camp Morrison, Dec. 10th, 1855. 


Adj’t General James Tilton, 

Washington Territory Volunteers, Olympia : 

Sir :—In compliance with orders of Nov. 2d, 1855, I have the hon¬ 
or to report the arrival of Lieut. Slaughter’s command and train on the 
1st Dec. at my camp. 

Lieut. Slaughter, after resting his men for two days, started with 60 
of his men and 5 of my men, with two day’s provisions, for White river, to 
communicate with Capt. Hewitt’s command, telling me at the same time 
that he would be back in four days. It is now 8 days since he left this 
camp, and as I have not heard from him to this date, I consider it my duty 
to inform you of this, so in case that the Lieutenant should have met with, 
difficulties, Government should be prepared for it. 

I have the honor to be, 

Very respectfully, &c., 

R. S. MORE, 

1st Lt., Com’g. Company D, 1st Reg’t. W. T. V. 



280 


[No. 216.] 


Executive Office, Territory Washington, 
Olympia, Feb. 2d, 1856. 


Capt. C. W. Swindall, 

Sir :—The services of the company recently organized at Skookum 
Bay are accepted, on the condition that their term of service is for six 
months, and that they are subject to the disposal of the Executive as to 
their field of duty. 

** ****>)<* 

* * * * You will, in case of an attack, maintain 

your position and defend it to the last extremity. 

Truly and respectfully yours, 

(Signed,) " ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 211.] 

Executive Office, Territory Washington, } 
Olympia, Feb. 2d, 1856. ) 

To the Captain of the Ranger Company : 

Sir :—Your duty will be to scout the country from the Skookum 
Chuck to the Nisqually, and view the prairies on the other side of the 
Nisqually from Yelm prairie. 

For this purpose you will post 20 of your men at the Yelm prairie 
block-house and 20 at the Grand Mound. 

There must be daily communications between those posts, and also 
between each post and Olympia. 

Thus this office will have daily information of the state of the country. 
Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


Note. —Capt. Ilenness was elected Captain of this company, and his 
orders were modified ; fifteen of his company having been left behind to 
garrison Montgomery’s and the Yelm, and the rest of his command having 
gone forward on foot with the battalion. 




281 


[ No. 218. ] 

Dffice Adjutant General, W. T. Y., ) 
Olympia, Feb. lltli, 1856. ) 

Capt. Gilmore Hays, 

Sir :—You will march with your company to Yelm prairie at as ear¬ 
ly an hour on to-morrow, the 12th February, as possible. 

The wagon train in charge of Quartermaster General Miller having 
started for that point, you will endeavor to arrive at the site of the pro¬ 
posed block-house, on Yelm prairie, as soon as possible. 

You will employ your command in guarding the public property and 
wagon train, and assisting in the erection of the proposed defences. 
(Signed,) JAMES TILTON, 

Adj’t. Gen. W. T. Volunteers, 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[ No. 219. ] 

Fort Skookum, Feb. 14th, 1856. 

Gov. Isaac I. Stevens, 

Commander-in-Chief Volunteer Forces: 

Sir :— I am at the post where you ordered me, and have built a rude 
fort on a point of land where I first built the block-house. The bay forms 
two lines, and we have thrown up a stockade of timber about ten feet 
high, having two block-houses so as to rake the sides of the stockade each 
way. We have also put up five dwelling houses, which the families occupy. 

There have been some rumors about the Claims, but the facts I do 
not know. We have been very busily at work here, and consequently I 
have had no time to go any place to see what was going on. The mes¬ 
senger that brought the news here I conveyed to Adjutant Gen. Tilton. 

I await further orders. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) . CALVIN W. S WIN DAL, 

Captain W. T. Volunteers. 


36 



[ No. 220. ] 


282 


Major Hays 7 Camp, W. T.,) 
February 24th, 1856. ) 


Gov. I. I. Stevens, 

Commander-in-Chief: 

Sir ; — i joined the forces at Montgomery^ according to order, and 
have marched on here by order of Major Hays, and I am ready to obey 
orders at any and all times. 

******* * 

* * * * 

Respectfully, 

(Signed,) C. W. SWINDAL, 

Capt. Company F, W. T. Volunteers. 


[ No. 221. | 

Executive Office, Olympia, W. T .,) 
February 18 th, 1856. [ 

Mr. Charles W. Riley, 

Sir : — I am glad you have taken steps to raise a company for the 
general defence of the Territory. I hope you may be able to raise more 
than you mention in your communication. 

I hereby instruct you to establish a post at “Lone Tree Point,’ 7 and 
to use all energy in furtherance of the prosecution of the war. 

When your company is fully organized, report to Head Quarters and 
send your muster roll, which will enable you to draw the rations for your 
company. Move your command forward immediately. There will be fifty 
friendly Indians at the mouth of the Puyallup on Friday night en route 
to the field of action. 

I consider the occupation of the post at “Lone Tree Point” very im¬ 
portant, and it is essential that it should be maintained at all hazard. 

Truly and respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 



283 


[No. 222.] 

Executive Office, Olympia, W. T.,) 
Eeb. 18th, 1856. j 

Oapt. J. A. White, 

Commanding Pioneer Company : 

Sir : — All the foot troops, and all of Capt. Henness’ command but 
15 men, will, to-morrow, move to Montgomery’s. 

They will escort the wagon train which will also move to-day to 
Montgomery’s, under charge of Quartermaster Miller. 

My aid-de-camp, Lieut. Col. Hurd, will be at Montgomery’s to-mor¬ 
row to locate and lay out the building, and his directions I wish to be 
complied with. 

All the foot troops will be expected to do fatigue duty in putting up 
the buildings. 

Quartermaster General Miller has orders to require the service of 
every citizen in the neighborhood of Montgomery’s. 

It is expected that these buildings will be so far advanced cn Wed¬ 
nesday and Thursday, that on Friday morning we can move upon the 
Puyallup. 

The movement on the Puyallup will be covered by fifty friendly In¬ 
dians under command of Sidney S. Ford, Jr., of W. T. Yolunteers. Thus 
you see the field is open. Push your men forward to Montgomery’s and 
at once put them at the buildings, and be ready on Friday morning to 
move to the Puyallup. I shall move with you. 

On Thursday, an election for Major will be held. Due notice will be 
given. 

Truly, your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 223.] 

Steilacoom, Feb. 19th, 1856. 

His Excellency, I. I. Stevens, 

Sir :—Your letter bearing date Feb. 18th, I would reply to by stat¬ 
ing that I immediately took the matter in hand, and have succeeded in 



284 


raising ten men. Owing to the proximity of the station where the most 
of the citizens are at work, and Capt. White having taken some twenty 
men, we are rather more deficient in men than patriotism. In compliance 
with your inquiry of to-day, I would state that, to-morrow we complete 
our organization, and on the following day we will take a scow, procure 
lumber on the Puyallup, and commence the block-house, which will be 
ready for occupation on Sunday. 

Yours, most respectfully, 

CHAS. W. RILEY. 



[No. 224.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, ) 
Olympia, Feb. 20th, 1856. } 

Major Gilmore Hays, 

Com’g. Central Battalion, W. T. Volunteers : 

Sir :—In moving on Friday morning on the Puyallup, Montgomery’s 
and Yelm prairie will be occupied by a portion of Capt. Henness’ com¬ 
mand. Fifteen men is deemed by me sufficient for the occupation of each 
point. 

For the completion of the buildings at Montgomery’s, Quartermaster 
Miller is ordered by me to keep all the settlers of the neighborhood at 
work. 

The remainder of Capt. Henness’ company will move forward on foot, 
and the horses sent back to Yelm prairie and Montgomery’s for safe keep¬ 
ing and general service. 

Give the necessary orders and see that the largest possible force 
moves forward on Friday morning from Montgomery’s. We need a very 
small force in our rear. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Comraandcr-m-Chief. 



285 


[No. 225.] 

Camp Montgomery, ) 

February 27th, 1856.) 

Major Gilmore Hays, 

Com’g. Central Battalion : 

Sir : — On your arrival at the Muckleshoot prairie, it is expected a 
junction will be made with the regular troops under the command of Lt. 
Col. Casey, and you are directed to co-operate with him in the occupation 
of that point and in the prosecution of the campaign. This is not intend¬ 
ed either directly or indirectly to place you under the orders of Col. Casey, 
or to make your operation subordinate to his. You will exercise your 
own judgment, apply your force in the way which will effect the greatest 
result, bearing in mind that the part assigned to you enters into a general 
plan, which it is hoped will ensure a blow being struck, and the enemy not 
escaping out of your hands. 

Lieut. Col. Casey is an officer of energy and experience, and from 
my frequent conferences with him as well as from my knowledge of his 
previous character, I am assured of his disposition to co-operate with the 
volunteer forces. 

The prairie above the falls of the Snoqualmie, and an advance point 
on Cedar creek on the trail, will shortly be occupied by the available 
troops of the Northern Battalion; and in their operations, they will be 
assisted by Pat Kanim and his band of friendly Indians, who has again 
returned to the field. 

Lone Tree Point is also occupied by a force of 15 men; and a band 
of friendly Indians, principally of the Cowlitz and Chehalis tribes, under 
the command of Capt. Sydney S. Ford, will be pushed on to you at the 
Muckleshoot, as soon as practicable. They will be informed and due 
notice will be given you. 

In the occupation of Muckleshoot prairie, a defensive building, in re¬ 
lation to which I have already written you, and a corral, will be imme¬ 
diately required. 

On your arrival at Muckleshoot, provision must at once be made for 
killing some twenty-five beaves and salting them. Salt is sent out and as 
many empty barrels as can be hauled. 

A limited number of oxen should be retained for labor around the 
depot, finishing the building and corral and for establishing auxiliary de¬ 
fences, and for the return of the expedition when its object is attained, and 
a small number might be kept for fresh beef. 

The remainder of the train should'be sent back to this point with a 




286 


suitable guard. With block-houses on the route, the guard need be but 
small. 

From the Muckleshoot the operations must be made without train or 
baggage animals; the men carrying, each one, his blanket and havresack 
with four days provisions on his back. 

It may be that the train can be returned through the route to be 
opened by Col. Casey. This you will be able to decide on conference 
with that officer. My impression is that if Col. Casey gets wagons through 
to the Muckleshoot, it will be on our route, and that the wagons will have 
to return by the route they go out. 

I hope to send additional force to your aid, and shall at once take 
measures to increase the numbers of the existing companies. 

To take charge of all the operations in his department, Quartermas¬ 
ter and Commissary General Miller will accompany your command and 
bring back the train. From his familiarity with the details of transporta¬ 
tion and subsistence, and his known energy of character, I am sure his 
services will do much to facilitate your operations. 

Before deciding to take a different route to the Muckleshoot than by 
Porters, have the ground carefully examined to the banks of White river 
—the crossing itself examined, and the route thence to Muckleshoot praire. 
It is known, we can push the train to Muckleshoot by Porter’s, and that if 
this good weather continues, we can ford White river at Porter's. In mov¬ 
ing by Porter’s, I consider a block-house there indispensable as you go 
out. 

My own impression is that the surest and probably the only practi¬ 
cable plan without extreme labor to reach the Muckleshoot, will be by 
Porter’s. It is an important point to occupy and should be occupied, and 
a block-house built after the occupation of Muckleshoot, if not before. Is 
not the grass better by Porter’s ? But you have been over the ground, 
and I leave the matter to your own judgment. 

The block-houses at the Puyallup and at Porter’s, can, in my judg¬ 
ment, be held by ten men each. This, however, I leave to your discretion. 

I send you a brief memorandum in regard to the march and the es¬ 
tablishment at the Muckleshoot, which you will consider as a part of 
these instructions. 

Report as frequently as possible, and I will advise you of operations 
at other points. It is hoped that a line will be opened up the Duwamish 
from Seattle at an early day. Trusting that the most complete success 
will crown your exertions, 

I remain, very respectfully, &c., 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Com. in-Chief. 


287 


NOTES IN REGARD' TO THE MARCH, AC. 

1. Before moving the train from point to point, see that the road is 
opened and the way clear to a camping place at night, which, whenever 
practicable, should be in a prairie, and gun shot from the wood. 

2. The wagons should be examined on reaching camp and be re¬ 
paired and strengthed, and broken down wagons with their loads brought 
up. 

3. The consumption of forage and provisions will, it is hoped, so 
lighten the train as to equalize the breaking down- of wagons and any in¬ 
creased difficulty of the road. 

4. On moving from the Puyallup, disabled oxen and their wagons 
should be sent back. It is not supposed that an escort will be required. 

5. The defensive building and corral at the Muckleshoot should be 
gun-shot from timber, or the wood cut down within gun-shot. 

6. A good block-house should be built at the crossing of White 
river, and a ferry established. This can be done after the establishment 
at the Muckleshoot if deemed expedient. If the route be by Porter's, a 
block-house should be built there as the expedition moves out. 

7. A block-house on Green river on the route towards Cedar creek 
and the prairie above the falls of the Snoqualmie, will, with a block-house 
at Porter’s, protect the rear of the establishment at the Muckleshoot. A 
block-house is therefore recommended on Green river. 


[No. 226',] 

Camp ConnelE, March 2d, 1856. 

Gov. I. I. Stevens-, 

Commander-in-Chief, W. T. Y., Olympia : 

Sir :—Since my arrival at this camp, I have thought this point the 
proper one for our main depot of provisions. We have reason to believe 
that the hostile Indians are opposite or above our encampment, and be¬ 
tween the White and Green rivers. Col. Casey is going to establish his 
post eight miles below on the Muckleshoot prairie. If none pass below 
him, there will be left a large scope of country unprotected, into which 



288 


they may and will most likely pass, just so soon as we leave this position. 
A main depot here would supply lesser ones on the other side of the river 
(one of which I think should be at or near Porter’s,) and with much less 
risk and exposure. A main depot here, too, would leave our rear fully 
protected. I think it questionable whether we can establish a ferry that 
will carry wagons, owing to the great rapidity with which the river runs. 

Prom this post, we could get provisions at any time, by means of a 
small boat, to a block-house on the other side of the river, from which we 
would make our excursions into the Green river country. I have, for these 
reasons, halted here until I can hear from you, and in the interval will 
employ the force at my disposal to the erection of a store-house, &c. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

GILMORE HAYS, 

Com’g. Central Battalion. 


[No. 227.] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. Y., 
Olympia, March 3d, 1856. 


Major Hays, 

Com’g. Central Battalion, W. T. Yolunteers : 

Sir :—Your letter of March 2d, announcing the engagement of the 
regulars, commanded by Capt. Keyes, on the White river, and your sug¬ 
gestion to establish a main depot for provisions at Camp Connell to supply 
others in the advance, &c., is received. 

In reply, I am instructed by the Governor to express his concurrence 
in these views, from the facts set forth, viz : The unanimity of opinion 
on the subject between Col. Casey and yourself, and the confidence felt in 
your judgment. 

You will carry out the original orders relative to the establishment 
of a block-house, but erect it at Connell’s. 

With regard to the disposition of the wagon train and fresh beef, 
&e., you are referred to the special instructions given by the Commander- 
in-Chief, dated Feb. 28th, 1856. 




289 


The occupation of the Muekleshoot being already effected by the 
regular forces under Col. Casey, it seems unnecessary for the Central Bat¬ 
talion to erect another system of defenses there, consequently you will es¬ 
tablish a block-house at Connell’s, keeping open a communication with the 
force occupying the Muekleshoot, co-operata with each other, or act sing¬ 
ly as circumstances may in your judgment dictate. 

In regard to the block-house on the north side of White river, at 
Connell’s, it seems to be the best side for communication with the forces 
already upon the Muekleshoot. The Governor depends upon your discre¬ 
tion and knowledge of the country in the matter. 

Some small parties of the enemy have been in the vicinity of Nathan 
Eaton’s for several days, and yesterday killed Mr. Wm. White. A par¬ 
ty of nine men, headed by Mr. James Roberts, marched hence last night 
in quest of these-murderers, and with orders to seize and take to Fort 
Nisqually the settlers near Montgomery’s and the Muck, suspected of 
harboring the enemy. 

A block-house at Porter’s is deemed essential.. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

JAMES TILTON, 
Adjutant General W. T. Y. 

By order of the Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 228.J 

Camp Connell, March 6th, 1856. 

James Tilton, Esq., 

Adj’t Gen. W. T. V., Olympia : 

Sir :—Major Hays instructs me to inform you that a good and sub¬ 
stantial block-house has beenconstructed at this point, with a lower story 
20 by 20 feet, the upper one 22 by 22 ; that by to-morrow night two 
pens will be completed 18 by 20 each, for quarters for the accommodation 
of the battalion. A good strong corral has been made for the safe keep¬ 
ing of cattle. 

The White river has been examined relative to a ferry and block- 
37 



290 


house on its banks. No place has been found where a ferry can be made 
useful without constructing the house for its protection on this side. The 
house, it is intended, to erect the day after to-morrow. At present the 
ferry is of bat little use, the river being quite low. 

The Indians occupied the prairie in the vicinity of Porter’s up to 
yesterday, when being discovered by scouts, they broke camp and made 
for Green river. 

The regulars notified Major Hays last night, that they had discovered 
a large camp, and asked for co-operation in an attack upon them at an 
early hour this morning. At day-light, one hundred men marched from 
our camp to join in the attack, but when they arrived the Indians were 
gone, having left as soon as their identity was known. They had a strong 
fortification on the verge of a large swamp, made of heavy timbers, some 
five feet high, with two sets of port holes. The retreat from this house or 
fortification was under ground in the direction of the swamp. The tim¬ 
bers were thrown down and burnt. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

B. F. RUTH, 

Adj’t. Central Battalion, W. T. V. 


[No. 229.] 

Camp Connell, March 10th, 1856. 

His Excellency I. I. Steven3, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief W. T. Y., Oljmapia : 

Sir :—At about 8 o’clock this morning, Capt. "White, with his com¬ 
pany were ordered to the White river to build a block house and ferry, 
supported by Capt. Swindal and ten privates. He had not proceeded 
more than half a mile from camp, when he was attacked by a large Indi¬ 
an force, supposed to be at least one hundred and fifty warriors, and a 
large number of squaws. I immediately forwarded Capt. Henness to his 
support with twenty men. Captain H. moved with great rapidity, a tre¬ 
mendous volley of guns announcing his arrival. I became satisfied that 
additional force was necessary, and despatched Lieut. Martin, of Co. B, 



291 


with fifteen additional men. The Indians by this time were seen extend¬ 
ing their flanks to the left with rapidity. I then forwarded Lieut. Yan 
Ogle, Co. B, with fifteen men to check their flank movement, but before 
he could gain a position they had so extended their line as to make it ne¬ 
cessary to send another party of twelve men under command of Captain 
Rabbeson, who succeeded in checking them. The fight by this time ex¬ 
tended the whole length of our line, and one continuous volley could be 
heard from the Indian guns on the hill and those of our men in the bot¬ 
tom. This firing continued some two hours. I saw the advantage which 
the Indians had in position, and determined to charge them. I ordered 
Capt. Swindal to charge them from his position, which was central, and 
Capt. Rabbeson to make a simultaneous move against their extreme left, 
while Capt. Heimess and Capt. White were ordered to hold the position 
which they occupied. 

This order was promptly obeyed, and the charge made in the most 
gallant style by Capt. Swindal against their centre, and Captain Rabbe¬ 
son against their left, through a deep slough, driving the enemy from his 
position and pursuing them some distance in their flight. Capt. Rabbe¬ 
son returned to camp, while Capt. Swindal took a position on a high ridge 
in the rear of the main body of Indians. I ordered Capt. Rabbeson to 
take his men and join Captains Ilenness and White, aud to say to Capt. 
Hemiess to charge the Indians from his position if he deemed it advisable. 
The Indians in front of Captains White and Heimess held a strong posi¬ 
tion from behind logs and trees, and from an elevated hill. It was deem¬ 
ed too dangerous to charge them in front. Capt. Rabbesou was ordered 
to take a few men and join Capt. Swindal to make a flank movement to 
the right and charge the enemy in his rear. This they succeeded in do¬ 
ing in the same gallant manner that they had done at an early hoar du¬ 
ring the fight. Simultaneous with this movement, Captains Henness and 
White charged them in front. The Indians were routed, put to flight, 
and pursued for a mile or more along* a trail or trails covered with blood. 
It is believed that not less than twenty-five or thirty Indians were killed 
dead on the field, and many wounded—they were seen carrying off their 
wounded and dead from the time the fight commenced until it termina¬ 
ted. Withs and ropes were found on the ground they occupied, which 
hade been used in dragging off their dead into the bush. Hats, blankets 
and shirts were picked up with bullet holes in them, stained with blood. 
They were forced to give up their drum, which they abandoned in their 
retreat. But two Indians were found dead on the field, one of whom is 
recognized as Chehalis John, the other was placed under a log, and has 
not yet been examined. I regard the victory of this day as complete— 
a grand triumph. The Indians had together their whole force. They 


292 


picked their own ground. They brought on the attack without being 
seen by our own troops. They exceeded us in numbers nearly if not quite 
two to one, and we whipped and drove them before us. I do but justice 
to the officers and privates when I say each acted a distinguished part in 
this fight—each performed his whole duty. I gave no command that 
was not obeyed most promptly, let the danger be ever so great. There 
was the most vigorous effort on the part of every man from the captain 
to the private to render his country service and his name conspicuous. 

it is proper that I should state that Mr. James Goudy rendered im¬ 
portant service in carrying intelligence from place to place during the 
fight, and is deserving of the highest praise. 

I cannot close this communication without referring to the smallness 
of our force, being but J10 men, all told, and to the still more important 
fact that, in my judgment, if our force had been but 100 men more to¬ 
day, wo could have captured cr cut to pieces the whole of the Indians 
engaged in arms against us on this side of the mountains. Col. Casey 
would have gladly furnished us aid, but bis force were all absent on scouts. 
In this fight we had four men w 7 ounded, all of whom I think, will soon 
get well. 

In haste, 

GILMORE HAYS, 

Commanding Central Battalion, W. T. Y. 


[No. 230.J 

Office Adjutant General, ) 
Olympia, March 12th, 1856. [ 

Capt. Maxon, 

Commanding Mounted Rifles : 

Sir After detaching twenty-five men to escort a train to Fort 
Conned, jou will proceed to range with the remainder of your company 
up the right bank of the Deschutes river by Chamber’s and the Tenal- 
quot prairie, and return by the Gravelly prairie to this point. Indian 
signs were yesterday seen in that quarter, particularly on the Tenalquot 
prairie. 



293 


On Chamber’s prairie lives Nathan Eaton, and on the Tenalquot 
Charles Eaton, both excellent guides, and who will be able to communi¬ 
cate the most reliable information as to the presence of Indians. On the 
Tenalquot prairie is a large quantity of grain, which the quartermaster is 
having hauled for the use of the troops. 

On ranging through the Tenalquot, it is left to your discretion, how¬ 
ever, to modify these instructions, should the information there be gained 
that the Indians can be struck in some other quarter. 

Your general field of ranging will be from the Deschutes to the Pu¬ 
yallup. The Indians, before proceeding to the Deschutes, had for some 
weeks infested the Nesqually bottom, and there was good reason to be¬ 
lieve that they had received aid and comfort from certain retired servants 
of the Hudson’s Bay Company and others, who were intermarried with 
the hostiles. These settlers have been ordered under guard at Fort Nes- 
qually and at Steilacoom. 

Their names are as follows : Charles Wren, Sandy Smith, — Smith, 
two Murrays, Gravello and Latour. They have received instruc¬ 
tions not to come back upon their claims, or to leave the vicinity of Nes- 
qually and Steilacoom on pain of being considered enemies. 

Should you conclude from the Tenalquot to proceed in the direction 
of the Yelm, your attention is called particularly to the country lying im¬ 
mediately north of the Nesqually from the Yelm to Fort Nesqually. In 
this district lies the American plain, where the hostile Indians are said to 
have all their stock, and also to the country lying towards the source of 
the Nesqually, where are many wild cattle, alleged to belong to the Puget 
Sound Agricultural Company, which would furnish provisions to the ene¬ 
my. Here also, are prairies, and it is apprehended that when the main 
body of the Indians are driven out of the country they now occupy be¬ 
tween Green and White rivers, they may seek to gain these prairies at 
the sources of the Nesqually. 

It will be proper to inform you that a band of fourteen friendly In¬ 
dians, under Lieut. Gosnell, are now ranging in the Nesqually bottom. 
They are dressed as follows : Blue flannel shirts and blue caps with red 
bands, and have white men with them. 

You will find upon the Nesqually plains large flocks of sheep belong¬ 
ing to the Puget Sound Agricultural Company in charge of white shep¬ 
herds. The Indian wives of these men are all ordered into Fort Nes¬ 
qually. You will narrowly watch for any signs of communication be¬ 
tween these shepherds and any Indians. 


294 


All Indians found in your field of operations, except those before 
-described, are to be considered as enemies. 

Report to this office as frequently as possible. 

Respectfully, 

J. TILTON, 

Ad ft Gen l W. 7. V. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-chief, W. T. Y. 


[No. 231.] 

Office Adjutant General, W. T. V.,) 
Olympia, March 13th, 1856. j 

Maj. G. Hays, 

Comd’g Central Battalion, 2d Regt. W. T. Y.: 

Sir :—Your despatch, dated “ Camp Connell, March 10th, 1856, ” 
announcing the success achieved by the gallantry and constancy of the 
troops under your command, is received. This victory has inspired the 
most lively satisfaction throughout the country, and reflects great credit 
upon the battalion and the Territory. 

The Commander-!r. b hief dr-:res me to communicate his gratification 
to the Central battaY a, cad express to yourself, Capfcs. Swihdal, Holi¬ 
ness, Rabbeson and 'White, and the officers and men of the command, his 
thanks for the efficient and daring service rendered at the l attle of Con¬ 
nell’s prairie. 

The charge you speak of made by the volunteers, and the result as 
shown by the twenty-five or thirty slain of the enemy, exhibit unmistak¬ 
able evidence of the valor and discipline of the Central battalion. 

The morale of the enemy being now broken by the shock it has re¬ 
ceived from the blow lately inflicted by the Central battalion, following 
so rapidly upon the defeat of the euemy lately sustained from the II. S. 
regulars under the gallant Col. Casey of the 9th infantry, it is confidently 
expected that these savages will be speedily annihilated or driven over 
the Cascades. 

Reinforcements are being moved up towards your line of operations 
,as rapidly as possible. The Southern battalion, under Lt. Col. Shaw, is 



295 


ordered from the Colombia river to assist in following up the blow the 
Central battalion have so well bestowed. 

Captain Maxon's company of horse is here from the Columbia, and 
ar- ranging the country from Fort Henness to Montgemery's, and pro¬ 
tecting the trains moving towards the White river country. 

Agents have been despatched to California and Vancouver's Island 
for supplies, and it will be the subject of vigilant attention at head quar¬ 
ts i*o that the brave and devoted citizen soldiers now' shedding their biood 
and devoting their service to their country, shall be supplied with every 
facility accessible, during the war, and of the greatful remembrance of a 
suffering people in all time to come, they may well assure themselves of. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adjutant General W. T. V. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Cliief. 


[No. 232.1 

Fort Hats, Connell's Prairie, 
March 15th, 1856. 


Gov. I. I. Stevens, 

Com.-in-Chief W. T. Volunteers, Olympia: 

Sir : —The Captains of the several companies have unanimously 
named this post ‘'Fort Hays," hence the above heading. 

* * * * * * * . * 

On yesterday while Capt. White was prosecuting work on the block 
house on the river, a small party of Indians,, twelve or fifteen in number, 
crawled up on the opposite bank and fired a volley into the ranks, wound¬ 
ing one of the men belonging to Co. C. Capt. Henness, with his com¬ 
pany, was guarding the Pioneers at the time. The place which has been 
selected for the ferry and block house is the only place found where a ferry 
can be established—at this point the block house has to be built on this 

side_the opposite bank of the river being a high bluff without sufficient 

room to build a fort. 



296 


***** *** 
Believing that the main body of Indians are not far distant from 
our camp, and knowing that their wounded must be great, I addressed a 
note to Col. Casey yesterday evening,-asking his co-operation in a grand 
move against them, to be followed up from day to day until we could 
overtake them in their strong hold, and I think we will be able to capture 
or kill the main body of their army. He was not in camp, having left for 
Steilacoom to confer with Gen. Wool. Capt. Keyes, who was in com¬ 
mand, agreed to co-operate with us as soon as the men return to camp, 
which will be on Monday or Tuesday next. I shall be able to join them 
with 15 or 80 men as at present situated, who, I feel, will render a good 
account of themselves. 

Since my report of our fight of the 10th, many facts have come to 
my knowledge, which satisfy me that the number of Indians was under¬ 
estimated. There could not have been less than 200 warriors on the 
ground. There can be no doubt but that the Puyallup Indians, the same 
rascals who received passes to go to the reservations, were in the fight. 
Their trails were found going to and from the battle ground. 

Capt. Henness was sent two days before the fight with a party of 
twenty-five men to examine the country south of this place. In his ex¬ 
cursion, he traveled S. W. seven miles and struck the Puyallup river, fol¬ 
lowed up the middle fork eight miles. His spies saw several Indians fish¬ 
ing, without clothes (except a shirt) or guns. They got away unharmed. 
As far up as this point, the country is mountainous—the river passing 
through deep canyons without bottom lands on either side. On his re¬ 
turn trip he passed the small prairies on the north fork of the Puyallup. 
Saw no Indians and no signs of any of recent date—found a camp which 
had been vacated some 15 or 20 days previously, -which he supposed to 
have been a winter camp of the Puyallups—their horses having traveled 
down the river. He thinks there are no Indians in this region, except a 
few renegades, who seek safety by hiding in the canyons and dense for¬ 
ests of timber in that mountainous region. We have also sent scouts in 
the direction of “ Stuck;” found no signs of Indiaus. The country two 
miles west from camp is an immense swamp : impenetrable to wolves. 

Very respectfully, 

GILMORE HAYS, 

Comd’g Central Battalion, W, T. Y. 


297 


[No. 233.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, ] 
Olympia, March 1 Ttli, 1856. j 

Major G. Hays, 

Commanding Central Battalion, Fort Hays : 

Sir :—Yonr Captains have shown a just appreciation of their com¬ 
mander, and the name they have given to the post on Connell's prairie 
will be most cheerfully remembered at head quarters, and what is better, 
by the people of the Territory. 

I am highly gratified with your report of the loth, as it shows a most 
excellent spirit in your command. Your views as to securing the ferry 
are approved. 

Rely upon it, every exertion will be made to strengthen your com¬ 
mand, and you may expect in a few days, a considerable accession to your 
force. 

You will consider every Indian on the eastern shore of the Sound, 
from this point to the Snohomish, as an enemy, except such as are em¬ 
ployed by the military as spies and scouts. 

* * * * * * *. * 

In your forward movements, have an eye to the Nachess pass, and 
as you approach it in operating against the enemy, secure your advance 
by block houses. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor Washington Territory. 


[No. 234.] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olymha, March 18, 1856. 


Capt. H. J. G. Maxon, 

Comd'g Washington Mounted Rifles : 

Sir : —The confidential duty which Isaac W. Smith, Esq., and your- 
38 



298 


self were detached for, is suspended for the present. The suspected per¬ 
sons ordered from their farms, we have received information are at Nes- 
qually and Steilacoom. 

You will leave five of your men at Fort Stevens on Yelm : take 
the balance of your command and proceed to the Nesqually, and operate 
between the head of South Bay and McAllister’s mill, in conjunction with 
a party of friendly Indians who will operate from Johnson’s Point, on the 
Sound, under the command of Lt. Gosnell. You will know the Indians 
by their having a red band around their caps. The bearer of this, Mr. 
Mounts, will be your guide, and will take you to where you can procure 
forage for your horses. 

I expect you to move from Yelm on Thursday morning. 

Respectfully, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Com.-in-Chief, W. T.. Y. 


[No. 235.) 


Fort Hays, Connell’s Prairie, 
March 24th, 1856. 


His Excellency, Isaac I. Stevens, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief, Olympia, W. T.: 

Sir:—O n the 19tli inst., I crossed the White river with 65 men, 
and constructed a block house—first story 26 x 22, second 28 x 24. On 
the 21st inst., I sent a party of 35 men to Boise river, four miles east of 
Porter’s, to look after Indians—they returned after examining* the prai¬ 
ries north of that stream in the direction of Green river, but discovered 
no Indians. They report that all the trails seen go up White river, 
ihey believe that all the Indians from the Green river country have fallen 
into the White river trail and are trying either to cross over to this side 
of White river, and pass near the mountains on to the head waters of 
the Puyallup, or the Nesqually. I have determined to ascertain whether 
they have re-crossed to this side, and will to-day send a party of twenty 
men to find out. The Indians are evidently much alarmed, and are flying 



299 


before us rapidly as possible—leaving behind their poor horses—five of 
which we have taken. I should judge them to be in a starving condition, 
from the fact that we have found a number of their horses killed for food. 
I think they have but little stock left. 

If they have passed up White river with a view to go over the 
mountains, I am afraid they will succeed in escaping, as it will be impos¬ 
sible to follow them, owing to the swollen condition of the streams, which 
are now impassable. 

I think they started from their encampment the day after the fight, 
and if they continued to travel they passed the White river before its 
waters were up. I am able to see the Cascade range, and there is but 
little snow on its highest peaks. 

I hope they may not have purposed crossing the mountains. If they 
have not, we shall soon be able to catch them. The regulars, with 350 
men, passed Porter’s on the 22d, with the hope of surprising a camp on 
Green river. I hope they may not be disappointed, but fear they will. 
They took the camp of Indians on the Puyallup prisoners, from whom I 
suppose they have gained information of importance. The river was im¬ 
passable, or I suppose they would have communicated the news. 

I am, very respectfully, 

GILMORE HAYS, 

Com’g Central Battalion, W. T. V: 


[No. 236.] 


Tenalquot Prairie, March 24th, 1856. 


James Tilton, Esq., 

Adj. General W. T. V., Olympia : 

Sir ; —On the ITth inst., we discovered Indian spies lurking about 
our camp. We trailed them towards Yelm prairie ; learned there that 
they had been chased from a barn about two miles to the westward of 
Port Stevens. We went same day to Gravelle’s. He stated that he 
went when and where he pleased without arms, same as he always had 



300 


done—that the Indians said that they would not hurt the French or En¬ 
glish. 

18th.—I ordered in all the provisious which the Indians might easily 
get, and told Mr. Kirtley to report the amount and kind of provisions to 
the quartermaster at Olympia. 

19th.—Remained at Yelm. 

20th.—Went to head of South Bay. 

21st.—Went to Johnson’s Point. Sent part of my command to the 
left—Lieut. Gosnell going to the right. 

22d.—Divided my command in small parties and searched the woods 
from head of South Bay to Nesqually Bay and McAllister’s creek. 

23d.—Searched Nesqually bottom to near the Yelm ford ; on west 
side found signs of Indians. 

I am going up the Deschutes to-day; shall be ready for further or¬ 
ders to-morrow. 

Respectfully, 

H. J. G. MAXON, 

Captain Washington Mounted Rifles. 


[No. 23!,] 

Office Adjutant General, W. T. Y., ) 
Olympia, March 26th, 1856. j 

Capt. H. J. G. Maxon, 

Commanding Mounted Rifles : 

Sir :—You will proceed by the way of Fort Stevens with your com¬ 
pany, and make a scout up the Nesqually river as far as you can carry 
supplies. From the Nesqually you will proceed to Connell’s prairie, and 
form a junction with the Central battalion; your route being by the high¬ 
est practicable trail at the head waters of the Nesqually and Puyallup 
rivers. 

Capt. Achilles will co-operate with you on this duty, and will report 
to you for orders. 

It is supposed you can take your horses some distance up the Nes¬ 
qually, and perhaps to the prairies, or until you ascertain whether you 
can march from the Nesqually prairies to those of the Puyallup. Should 





301 


you, however, find the grass insufficient, you will leave your horses at Fort 
Stevens, or some other suitable place. Of this you will be the judge. 
Of course you cannot subsist your animals after joining the Central bat¬ 
talion, and it will be better perhaps, to take them but one day’s march 
from hort Stevens, as it would weaken your force to give them a sufficient 
escort back thence from, say two or three day’s march from that post, or 
use your discretion to leave your horses and move with the entire strength 
of the two companies. 

Very respectfully, &c., 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adj’t Gen. W. T. V. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 238.] 

Camp McCloud, March 30th, 1856. 

Adj’t Gen. James Tilton, 

W. T. V., Olympia : 

Sir :—On my way to this place I found the prisoners I send to you, 
at their homes. They all acknowledged that they were violating the or¬ 
ders of the Governor. I considered it my duty to send them to the Gov¬ 
ernor, and state that I consider them guilty of treason, and can prove 
Wren guilty of giving aid and comfort, by Orterland, who belongs to my 
company. McLoud alleges that he has been robbed, but has evidently 
“cached” his property, as my men have found the very things that he says 
he has lost. I think it useless to try to get the Indians while these men 
are allowed to remain here. 

The Indians have been and are near here. Not more than three 
have been seen at once, 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

H. J. G. MAXON, 

Captain Mounted Rifles. 




302 


[No. 239.] 


Office Adj’t General, W. T. Y, 
Olympia, 4th April, 1856. 


Major. Hays, 

Commanding Central Battalion: 

Sir After Capt. White reports the ferry at the Puyallup re-es¬ 
tablished, you will order him to make a road from Fort Hays to a conve¬ 
nient point on South prairie, where you will cause a block house to be 
erected. 

Respectfully, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adj’t Gen. W. T. Y. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 240.] 


Office Adj’t General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, W. T., April 6, 1856. 


Maj. Gilmore Hays, 

Commanding Central Battalion : 

Sir : —From information received at this office from various sources, 
and considered reliable, the enemy may be expected by a pass through 
the Cascades south of Ilanier. 

Capt. Maxon has just returned from a scout of forty miles from 
Fort Stevens towards the Pass. He brought in fourteen prisoners, and 
killed eight men of the enemy, of whom but 3 escaped from the rapid 
and effective fire of his party. 

He was obliged to return for provisions, and lived on Indian food for 
a day or two. He states that if he had had horses he could have kept 
on by eating the animals. 

He is going out again to-morrow, and will scout in the same direc¬ 
tion. 

You will leave Major Yan Bokkelen in command of the post you 
have established on the White river, and after the Pioneers have re-estab- 


» 





303 


lished the ferry over the Puyallup, proceed with your battalion to South 
prairie, erect a block house at some convenient point as possible, and 
keep in readiness to move towards the Nesqually pass of the Cascades, 
It is proposed for your command to proceed from the South prairie to 
the sout h east, to Michael’s fork of the Nesqually, and erect there another 
block house. 

You will employ upon the work of opening roads and building block 
houses all the force at your command, not employed in making scouts, or 
on guard, arrange your guards so that a man may be twenty-four hours 
on and twenty-four hours off, strengthen the Pioneer company during its 
employment in cleaning out the roads and building defences by as large a 
working party from the other companies of the command as possible, as 
celerity of movement is absolutely demanded by the exigency of the case. 

Report to this office the state of affairs in your command, and the 
progress of the work ordered, as frequently as possible. 

Leave an officer and fifteen or twenty men at Port White. 

I am, sir, respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

J. TILTON, 

Adjutant General W. T. V. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 241 ] 


Fort Stevens, Yelm Prairie, 
April 6th, 1856. 


His Excellency, I. I. Stevens, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief: 

Sir : —In pursuance of orders received on 30th ult., I marched that 
night with twenty men, under the guidance of Mr. Shelton and Lieut. 
DeLacy, the Adjutant Southern battalion, and arrived at this place same 
night. 

On 31st, I proceeded to examine the country around, so as to find 
the direction the Indians had taken, but found no sign. 

April 1st.—Marched for Lakamas prairie, under the guidance of 



304 


Mr. Brail, who had lost some horses by the Indians recently, but could 
find no sign. Returned to this place by way of the Nesqually river. On 
the third, the rest of my company having joined me, started with twenty- 
seven men, intending to go as far as possible towards the mountains. 
Took four days’ rations. 4th.—Marched all day without seeing any In¬ 
dians. Sent horses back to Lackamas prairie, and proceeded forward 
with part of command. Returned in the evening without making any 
discovery. 

5th.—Detached Lt. Pressley with fifteen men towards the head of 
the Nesqually river, with orders to examine the river minutely on his way 
down to this place, whilst I returned with the rest of the company to 
this place. 

6th.—Scouts having returned, moved camp to Tamarie’s prairie, 
where I can get good feed for the animals. No fresh Indian sign has 
been found. It is supposed that there were only four Indians in the 
party that stole the horses. 

* * *. * * * * * 

, I have the honor to be, 

Very respectfully, &c., 

BLUFORD^MILLER, 

Capt. Co. I, W. T. V. 


[No. 242.] 


Executive Office, Olympia, \ 
April 10th, 1856. ) 


Major Gr. Hays, 

Com’g. Central Battalion : 

Sir : —I have received your letter of this date, resigning your posi¬ 
tion as Major of the Central battalion. 

Your resignation is accepted, to take effect from this date. 

In accepting your resignation, I desire to express my appreciation of 
your services in the Indian war. Communications from the office of the 
Adjutant General have shown you that the authorities have not been un¬ 
mindful of the time you have devoted to the public service, nor the hard¬ 
ships you have encountered. 



305 


Trusting that in the bosom of your family you will find a solace from 
the cares of public employment. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 243.] 

April 12th.—Communication from Adjutant General to Captain 
Swindal, on whom command of Central battalion had devolved, of same 
import as that of the 6th inst., to Major Hays. 


[No. 244.} 

Executive 

Capt. C. W. Swindal, 

Commanding 
Sir :—Lieut. Col. Shaw has 
and Southern battalion. 

, You will push forward, establish a block house at South prairie, and 
open a communication with the force now pushing up the Nesqually. 

On communicating with Col. Shaw, you will receive from him orders 
as to the future movements of the battalion. 

It is to be remarked here, that the line of the Nesqually is regarded 
as an important one to be occupied-^-that it is to be established by block 
houses, and that the available force of your battalion is to be applied to 
that purpose. 

Truly yours, 

(Signed}- ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


Office, Washington Territory, ) 
Olympia, April, 15, 1856. j 

Central Battalion : 

been elected Lieut. Col. of the Central 


39 




306 


[No. 245.] 


Camp Montgomery, April 20th, 1856. 


Coy. Isaac I. Stevens, 

Commander-in-Chief: 

Sir :—I moved forward on the 15th inst., for South prairie, by way of 
Finnell’s prairie, cutting a wagon road some six miles through the woods, 
and making a good road. On 2d, encamped on South prairie, and two 
days after, completed block house, which I named Fort McAllister, and 
on the following morning, moved towards Camp Montgomery. The Pi¬ 
oneers deserve much credit for their perseverance. 

On llth ini, I sent out a scouting party up the north branch of the 
North fork of the Puyallup, commanded by Adjutant Ruth. Some four 
or five miles up the river, they discovered a camp, which the Indians no 
doubt had intended for their place of retreat, but no fresh sign was seen, 
except one track which passed through South prairie towards White 
river. 

* * * * * 

Very respectfully, 

C. W. SWINDAL, 

Capt. Com’dg. Central Battalion, 


[No. 246.] 

Camp Wren, April 23d, 1856, 

Adjutant General James Tilton, 

W. T. Volunteers, Olympia : 

Sir: —I beg leave to report, that in obedience to orders received 
from Lieut. Col. Shaw, I broke up my camp at McLoud’s and marched 
on the llth inst. to Tenook creek, and on next day arrived at Michel's 
prairie at noon. I left my horses here under a guard, and immediately 
proceeded up the Michel’s creek, a branch of the Nisqually river. I was 
accompanied by Coi. Shaw and Adjutant De Lacy. 

We proceeded up the river for about eight miles and camped. Con¬ 
tinuing our course next day, we came across fresh Indian sign and divided 
the party, Col. Shaw going up one side of the river and I continuing up 
the other. Col. Shaw found an Indian, who, however, escaped in the 




307 


drift-wood, and soon came to a fishery. Above this, a short distance, we 
surprised an old Indian making fish weirs, and shortly after captured an¬ 
other spearing salmon. We induced these to lead us to their ranch, 
where they represented that there v/ere several men and women, but on 
our arrival we found that the one who had escaped had given them warn¬ 
ing, and that they were gone. They had not had time however to take 
anything, as we found all their clothing, two guns, a cache containing 
blankents, clothing, &c., some ammunition and other articles. I sent out 
scouts in every direction but were unable to catch any more except an old 
squaw, who came up not knowing that we were there. We destroyed ev¬ 
erything. Next morning Col. Shaw returned with a party under com¬ 
mand of Lieut. Bennington, taking one of the captured Indians as a guide, 
and got six Indian horses south of Lake Owhap, too poor to be of any 
use. 

Thinking that the Indians had escaped over to the Nisqually, I re¬ 
turned down the Michel a short distrance, crossed it and proceeded about 
three miles over to the river, which I ascended seven or eight miles until 
stopped by the tremendous precipices. I found no signs of Indians and 
no place for them to stay. Same day returned to MichePs prairie by’thc 
mouth of MichePs creek, passing by the place where we had killed the 
Indians on the previous scout. The bodies were still there and had not 
been disturbed. 

On my arrival at camp, I found that Capt. Achillis’ company had 
arrived under command of Lieut. Powell. I started again on the ltth 
inst., on another scout, taking the other company also with me. My men 
had on the previous expedition seen a large lake to the north-east,, and I 
thought that we would find Indians there. We proceeded on our former 
trail until within a short distance of the fishery, when I sent Lieut. Powell 
with his company to the ranch which we had found on the previous expe¬ 
dition, and struck a northern course myself for the unknown lake. On our 
route we came across an old Indian camp, where we found a cache of sad¬ 
dles, ropes and axes, which we destroyed. We crossed three small but 
rapid streams which I named successively the South, Middle, and North 
Forks of the Owhap. On the last we camped, having made 25 miles that 
day. We were now on a distinct well marked trail leaking to the lake, 
and arrived at this latter about noon. We coasted along it for about 5 
miles, finding no Indians, headed it and came on the opposite side. Here 
we found several small streams flowing from the lake into the Puyallup of 
which this is probably the head. We struck a trail going to this river 
and our captives told us that it was not very far distant. We camped 
here. 

We continued our returning course next on the trail, being generally 


308 


in a south and east direction. * * * * Again arrived at Michel's 

prairie. * * * * Haying no provisions, I have come to this'place 

where I will await orders. 

Yery respectfully, &c., 

H. J. G. MAXON, 

Capt. Com'g. Washington Mounted Itefles. 


[No. 247.] 

Fort McAlister, South Prairie, \ 
April 29th, 1856. ) 

Gov. I. I. Stevens, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief: 

Sir :—Capt. Swindal left here this evening en route for the Nisqually 
river with forty-eight men. I accompanied him as far as the main North 
Fork of the Puyallup with seven of my men, as I felt certain that he 
would have a fight with Leschi on his first day's march, but we passed 
around his camp. ******** 

We went to an old encampment, where we found a trail which we 
thought was the one that the Indians had taken when they left it, but 
proved to be a false trail made for the purpose of misleading any body of 
men that might discover the camp. After running out the trail, we dis¬ 
covered an opening which we supposed to be prairie, but which proved to 
be the North Fork of the Puyallup. Capt. Swindal resolved to proceed 
forward [and Lreturned to the old Indian camp. In about an hour I 
found out the course the Indians had taken. The encampment is situated 
upon the edge of a swamp. There were four houses capable of holding 
about thirty. In the swamp was an Island with five large houses which 
could hold fifty or sixty men. We likewise found old beds in hollow logs, 
and there were probably one hundred men encamped here, and I think 
that they were in a wretched condition as they had been obliged to kill 
their horses for food. We followed the trail of the Indians as far as was 
prudent considering our small number and then returned to camp. 
****** 

Yours respectfully, 

A. B. RABBESON, 

Com’g. Company B, W. T. Y. 




809 


{No. 248.] 

Fort McAlister, May 2d, 1856. 

James Tilton., 

Adjutant General W. T. V.: 

Sir : — With four day’s provisions, I started with part of my com¬ 
mand, consisting of Capt. White of the Pioneer company with 20 men ; 
Lieut. Temple of company B, with 14 men ; Lieut. Cole with 1 men, and 
4 men of the company scouts, upon the march you ordered towards the 
Nisqually. During this march, having discovered a fresh trail of Indians, 
I went before the command and upon raising a ridge discovered an Indian 
house within thirty yards. I signalled to the command to surround it, but 
before it could be done, an Indian ran to the door. I levelled my rifle to 
shoot him but he dodged back, and all of the Indians ran out of the back 
door. I caught sight of a young Indian whom I shot. 

The command then charged and killed four Indians ; one of the killed 
we recognized as “Sam,” of White river. 

We searched the camp and burnt everything. A small quantity of 
provisions were found—some potatoes, &c. 

The papers of the Duwamish Mill Co. were found here and I forward 
them to you. 

This camp contained about 25 or 30 Indians. We reached Fort 
McAllister yesterday after a fatiguing march of 35 miles through the 
moutains. 

Lieut. McKibbon of Company H, 9th Infantry, has just arrived here. 
He is going with us to-morrow with 22 men of his company. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

C. W. SWINDALL, 

Com’g. Central Battalion W. T. Y. 


[No. 249.] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. Y., ] 
Olympia, May 2?th, 1856. ) 


Lieut. E. Huger, 

Adj’t. 2d Reg’t. W. T. Volunteers : 

Sir ; —You are hereby detailed to inspect the route lately traversed 
by Major Yan Bokkelin from'Connell’s prairie to the pass of the Snoqual- 



310 


mie and report upon its practicability for ox teams and the time requisite 
to cut a road through by a party of pioneers, of say 30 men. 

Upon arrival at Major Yan Bokkelin’s camp, confer with him upon 
the subject and inform him that the Commauder-in-Chief is very desirous 
that the Northern Battalion should actively employ itself in cutting out 
as much of the northern portion of the proposed road as possible, to facil¬ 
itate the movement and enable the post at Rangers’ prairie to be supplied 
with provisions, &c., from the train of Col. Shaw. 

The details, you will give the necessary orders about, and inform 
Major Yan Bokkelin of the plan at this office relative to the movement. 

Bear in mind that the arrangements for the march via the Snoqual- 
mie depend upon the possibility of the road being made practicable to ox 
teams, in say twelve days. 

Return to this place within six days to report. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adjvant General W. T. V. 

By order of the Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 

Note.— Lieut. Huger being taken sick, the above orders were execu¬ 
ted by Capt. De Lacy. 


[No. 250.] 

Executive Office, Territory Washington, ) 
Olympia, July 17th, 1856. ) 

Capt. Swindal, 

Commanding Central Battalion: 

Sir : — You are directed to confer with Lieut. Col. Casey, and turn 
over Fort Hicks to him as soon as he will receive it. 

On his taking possession, the Steilacoom company under Lieut. Cole 
will be immediately marched to Steilacoom and be mustered out of service 
by you. 

The Quartermaster and Commissary General will make the necessary 
arrangements for the removal and safe keeping of the public property at 
Fort Hicks. 

You will immediately send orders to the detachment of the Seattle 




311 


company under Lieut. Neely to move immediately to Seattle, there to be 
mustered out of service next week by Lieut. Col. Fitzhugh. 

The detachments of your cnmpany at Skookum Bay you will also 
cause to be mustered out of service. 

The detachment of men at the Nisqually Ferry block-house will be 
mustered out of service by Quartermaster and Commissary General Miller. 

The companies at the Cowlitz and in Clarke county will be mustered 
out this week. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[ No. 251. j 

Fort Townsend, W, T., Nov. 5th, 1855. 

Adj’t General James Tilton, 

Washington Territory Volunteers, Olympia : 

Sir— I take this opportunity of informing you that on last Satur¬ 
day, a company of volunteers was organized at my place of about fifty 
men, which is increasing daily, and in a few days the compan’ys comple¬ 
ment will be full. Immediately on the organization of the company, I 
despatched 1st Lieutenant S. D. Ilowe with a detachment of men to visit 
the camps of the Scadget Indians now situated on the rivers immedi¬ 
ately north of the Snohomish river, and invite them all in to the settle- 
ments—to separate them as far as possible from the influence of the 
tribes of Indians of known hostilities. I am now fitting out an expedi¬ 
tion of thirty men to go on the American schooner A. Y. Trask, and 
blockade the Snohomish river. This expedition goes under command of 
2d Lieut. James Karnes. I have sent the schooner R. B. Potter to San 
Juan Island, for two pieces of ordnance. She is expected now hourly. 
As soon as she returns the expedition will sail for the river. I have in¬ 
structed Lt. Karnes to proceed up the river to above all the sloughs, and 
select a position where the stream is narrow and the banks clear of tim- 



312 


ber, and then proceed to throw a boom of logs across the river, anchor 
his schooner below the same, and place a guard on each bank of the river 
to prevent any canoe from passing; if the blockade is attempted to be 
forced he is instructed to resist the same. 

I think, with this river blockaded, it adds greatly to the security of 
all the settlement on the lower part of the Sound. In fact, with the 
river open, with a large trail from the Clickatat country to the river that 
can be traversed at all seasons of the year, the whole lower portion of 
the Sound is at the mercy of the enemy. A party of Indians can reach 
all the settlements below, with that river open, in 48 hours from the Ya¬ 
kima river, w T ith it closed, they cannot be reached at all. I think the 
course I have pursued will meet with your approbation; the exigency of 
the case seemed to me to demand it. 

The people of this place are very much alarmed. All the families 
are moving in, and building a block house. The people on Whidby’s Is¬ 
land do not appear so much alarmed—the blockade of the Snohomish 
river, has added greatly to the feeling of security. 

I hope and trust to be up to Olympia before this reaches you. 
***** * 

The expedition I think will have the river blockaded by to-morrow 
night. 

***** * 

* * * * * * 

Yery respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

(Signed,) ISAAC N. EBEY. 


[No. 252.) 

Olympia, Nov. 9th, 1855. 

James Tilton, Esq., 

Adjutant General Washington Territory : 

Sir : I have the honor to report to you the organization of a com- 





313 


pany of volunteers at Whidby’s Island, on the third inst., called the Nor¬ 
thern Rangers. * * * * * 

Immediately upon the organization of the company, I dispatched Lt. 
Howe, with a portion of the command, to the rivers on the east side of 
Whidby’s Island, to meet the main encampment of the Scadget Indians, 
to have a talk with them, and request the tribe en masse to move into 
the settlements. This course oppeared to me highly necessary, as they 
have at times past, been very considerably under the influence of Te-i-as, 
a chief of the Yakima tribe of Indians, and who has visited them in the 
character of a priest, and at this time, a Snoqualmie chief is visiting them, 
and it is well known that different members of this tribe are dissatisfied 
with the whites, and but little persuasion would be needed to induce them 
to disregard their solemn treaty obligations, and join in alliance with the 
hostile bands of Indians within reach of them. These fears are greatly 
enhanced, when the Indians know thus far that the whites who have gone 
out to chastise the hostile Indians have been compelled to retreat, and 
that numerous murders have been committed within short distances of 
points that are the best prepared for defence. I think it a matter of the 
first importance to separate those Indians who show no disposition for 
warfare from those of known hostilities. 

* * * * * * 

I have now despatched Lieut. James Keymes with thirty men on 
board of the schooner A, Y. Trask to blockade the Snohomish river. 

* * * * * * 

* * It is believed that there is no road or pass in the 

Cascade mountains north of the Snoqualmie until you get to Frazier’s 
river. * * * * 

With this river (the Snohomish) open, it brings the main band of 
Yakima Indians within 48 hours of Fort Ludlow, Port Gamble, Port 
Townsend, Discovery and Whidby’s Islands, where an immense amount of 
capital could be destroyed, and many lives lost, before the enemy could be 
repulsed. 

* * * * * * 

I am, sir, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC N. EBEY. 


40 


314 


[No. 253.] 


Office Adjutant General,: W. T. V.,. 
Olympia, Nov. 10th, 1855. 


Capt. I. N. Ebey, 

Comd’g Co. I, 1st Regt. W. T. Y.: 

Sir :—Your company, I, being accepted into the service of the Uni¬ 
ted States, you will return to your command and cause the military oath, 
a copy of which is herewith transmitted, to be administered to your offi¬ 
cers, non-commissioned officers and privates. Any one declining to so 
swear will not be accepted into service. 

:f: 

You will maintain a guard at the boom on the Snohomish river, in¬ 
structing your guard to avoid all collision with the tribes, or any members 
of the tribes, who may not exhibit unmistakeable evidence of hostility, 
or be found in, or strongly suspected of communication with the hostile 
Indians. Your command will earnestly endeavor to maintain the friendly 
relations hitherto existing between the Snoqnalmies and other tribes on 
the Sound, and our people. If this is done, your services will be most 
valuable, and more highly appreciated than any victory over those tribes, 
should they unhappily join the hostile Indians. 

****** 

* * It is made your especial duty to guard against and 

prevent all persons not on military duty, or agents of the Indian depart¬ 
ment, from undertaking any expeditions against the Indians. Private 
war must not be tolerated. 

The general arrangements in regard to the collection of friendly In¬ 
dians and restricting them to particular points, will be strictly confined to 
the Indian department, whose agents this is the special duty of, and who 
will be instructed, in case of necessity, to make requisition upon yourself 
for any military force they may require in your vicinity. 

* * * * * * 

Yours, respectfully, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adjutant General W. T. V. 





315 


[No. 254.] 


Snohomish River, 
Nov. 12, 1855. 


James Tilton, 

Adjutant General W. T. Y.: 

Sir :—The steamer made Point Elliot this day about 5 P. M., where 
I found the schooner A. Y. Trask, with forty-five of my command on 
board. * ***** 

Pat Kanim is still with us, and designs ascending the river by him¬ 
self to-morrow, and seeing his people, returning by the time Dr. Hill ar¬ 
rives here, so as to accompany him up as the special agent of the Indi¬ 
ans. ****** 

I will send a dispatch to-morrow for Dr. Hill. 

When Pat Kanim saw the number of men on board the schooner, 
he was much alarmed, and endeavored to dissuade me from going up the 
river. 

******** 

I have this evening had a long talk with Pat Kanim, in which I 
have allayed his fears. I am also indebted for the same to Capt. Fay’s 
influence. 

I shall be at my position early in the morning. * * * 

****** 
****** 

Every effort on my part, shall be directed towards maintaining 
friendly relations with the Indians on the river. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC N. EBEY, 

Capt. Co. I, W. T. Y. 


[No. 255.] 


Fort Ebey, Snohomish River, 
Nov. 28, 1855. 




James Tilton, 

Adjutant General W. T. Y.: 

Sir :—I send this dispatch by Lieut. Howe, who takes with him 



316 


Pat Kauim and Quesam, the two head chiefs of the Snoqualmie and 
Shawamish tribes. Until to-day the chances were about even whether 
Quesam and most of the young men of the tribes were disposed for peace 
or war. 

Yesterday, Pat’s brother, John, went up the river. I told him to 
tell Quesam and his people if they were not down the river in three days, 
I should go up the river and see him. To-day a party of about 275 
came down the river, including Quesam, and all the others that were re¬ 
ported as being disaffected. They report to me that all are now down 
the river, except three men and their families. One of the great objects 
of our station here is accomplished, without which, I fear that one-half 
of the Snoqualmie tribe would have joined the war party. 

******* * 

* * * * 

My company is now over seventy strong. Thirty men are sufficient 
to guard this river. I think that it v r ould be advisable to leave that 
number at the fort, and with the remainder, ascend the Snoqualmie in 
boats to a point some miles below the falls, taking Pat Kanim and a few 
other Indians as guides. At that point, the Snoqualmies have fourteen 
head of horses, which I will procure to transport my baggage, and then 
take up the line of march for Seattle or Steilacoom. I v/ill thus pene¬ 
trate the heart of the Indian country. I have no fears but we shall get 
through. 

***** *** 

I understand the Indians at New Dunginess were manifesting a 
slight disposition to hostility, and that the houses of my boys from Port 
Discovery had been broken into and plundered since they left, and I im¬ 
mediately despatched Lieut. Newton with 16 men, believing that their 
presence would be sufficient to change their disposition for the better. 
******* * 
******* * 

I have the honor to be, 

Your most obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC N. EBEY, 

Capt. Northern Rangers. 


317 


[No. 256.] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, Dec. 4th, 1855. 


Capt. Ebey, 

Com’g Co. I. 1st. Reg’t W. T. V.: 

Sir :—Your letter of Nov. 28th, is received. In reply, I am in¬ 
structed by the Acting-Governor to state: 

The condition of affairs as shown by late developements in the Green 
river country, and the uncertain tenure by which the savages of the 
•Sound are held, renders it unadvisable to authorize the proposed expedi¬ 
tion up the Suoqualmie river, and thence to Seattle or Steilacoom. 

You will, therefore, continue to act under your former orders, main¬ 
taining your head quarters at Port Townsend, and keeping up a guard of 
say 25 or 30 men, at Fort Ebey. The difficulties with the Indians re¬ 
ported by yourself at Port Discovery and New Dunginess, indicate the 
necessity for your keeping your company at Port Townsend or in that 
vicinity, exercising a surveillance upon the northern Indians, and prevent¬ 
ing them from coming up the Sound. 

* * * * * * 

Yours, most respectfully, 

(Signed,) JAMES TILTON, 

Adjt. Gen. W. T. Y. 


[No. 251.] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, Dec. 5th, 1855. 


Capt. Ebey, 

Com’g Co. I, W. T. V.: 

Sir :— 

******** 

* ******* 

You are hereby directed to detail an officer and 20 men of those of 

your command, who reside nearest Crescent harbor, to duty at the block 

house at that point. 



318 


* * * * * * 
Endeavor to prevent all collisions between the detachments of your 

tcompany stationed at the block houses, and the friendly Indians upon the 

reservations or elsewhere. 

****** 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) JAMES TILTON, 

Adj’t. Gen. W. T. Volunteers. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 258.] 


Office Adj’t General, W. T. V., 
r Olympia, Dec. 11th, 1855. 


Capt. A. A. Plummer, 

Commanding Port Townsend Guards: 

Sir :—Your company is accepted into service, and herewith you will 
receive commissions for youraelf and officers. 

****** 

* * Supply your command with provisions when an expe¬ 

dition is made, and only such men as are absolutely on duty will be sup¬ 
plied with rations. 

****** 

* ***** 

The delicate duty of observing vigilantly all causes which may lead 
to collision between our people and the friendly Indians, is entrusted to 
you, and you are especially enjoined to require of your command great 
prudence and circumspection in this matter. 

Respectfully, 

JAMES TILTON, 
Adjutant General W. T. V. 

By order of the Acting-Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 





319 


[No. 25fc] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, Feb. 1st, 1856. 


Capt. I. N. Ebey, 

Wash. Ter. Volunteers, Port Townsend': 

Sir I am determined to receive in service no volunteers, except 
such as enlist for six months, and for the general defence of the Terri¬ 
tory. 

Accordingly, your company will be disbanded, and you are urged to 
raise a company to be enrolled at Port Townsend, subject to the orders 
of the Executive. 

The necessary orders for their disposition will be given in season. 
But in the present emergency, it is indispensable that as large a force as 
possible should be thrown into the country now occupied by the hostiles. 

Truly and respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief 


[No. 260.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, I 
Olympia, Feb. 2d, 1856. j 

Capt. Isaac N. Ebey, 

W. T. Volunteers : 

g IR : —you are requested to take in hand the raising of volunteers 
from the counties of Whatcom, Island, Jefferson and Clallam, to urge it 
forward with all possible dispatch, and to consolidate the whole force, if 
in two or more companies, by calling an election of Major, and issuing 
the necessary certificates. 

The Major thus elected will at once enter upon his duties, awaiting 
his commission from the Executive. 

The instructions to the Major are herewith enclosed. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 



320 


[No-. 261.] 


Executive Office, Olympia, W. T., 
February 2d, 1856. 


To the Major, 

Commanding Lower Sound Battalion: 

Sir :—You will make the following disposition of the force under 
your command: 

1. Establish small posts at Bellingham Bay, Port Townsend and 
on Whidby’s Island, not exceeding 15 men each. 

2. You will keep the same number afloat in case no steamer of 
war is on the Sound. 

3. Your remaining force you will push up the Snohomish, occupy 
Fort Ebey with 15 men, and station the rest at the Falls. Here a block 
house should be built. 

4. If a body of 100 men can be collected at the Falls under your 
command, you will receive orders to move towards Green and White riv¬ 
ers, to meet columns moving towards the same point from Steilacoom and 
Seattle. 

5. Report from time to time to the Adjutant General’s office at 
Olympia, and especially report immediately the number of troops you will 
be able to concentrate at the Falls of the Snoqualmie. 

6. Robinson has been appointed quartermaster and commissary of 
your command, and of the post of Port Townsend, and has been instruc¬ 
ted promptly to comply with your requisitions. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 262.] 

Defence of the Lower Part of the Sound. 

1. Till the hostiles are met and defeated in their own country, a 
steamer should be on move continually, and posts of 15 men each be es- 





321 


tablislied at Bellingham Bay, Port Townsend and Whidby’s Island, and 
a post of thirty men at the Snohomish. 

2. The want of a steam vessel to be supplied by a sailing vessel, to 
cruise between Port Townsend and Bellingham Bay, occasionally run¬ 
ning down the Straits, and by a supply vessel from Port Townsend to 
the Snohomish. 

3. In case of attack, the settlers enrolled as militia should be called 
together for the emergency. 

4. If two companies are formed-in the lower part of the Sound, 
they will mostly have to act in concert, and should be under the command 
of a Major, to be elected by the companies. 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 263.] 

Defence of Bellingham Bay. 

1. If the force stationed there should not be competent, the en¬ 
rolled militia, or a portion thereof, should be called out. 

2. With a suitable block house, one quarter of the citizens as a 
daily guard, would probably, during the existing Indian difficulties, be suf¬ 
ficient to maintain it, and get information of the approach of hostile In¬ 
dians, and in case of an attack being threatened, give notice to the set¬ 
tlers. 

3. In case of attack, all the citizens should assemble to repel it. 

4. Every exertion will be made to keep a steamer on the waters of 
the Sound, to establish a weekly mail between Bellingham Bay, and oth¬ 
er points on the Sound, and Olympia. 

5. If the citizens of Bellingham Bay come forward in the defence 
of the Territory, they will, in connection with the company to be enrolled 
at Port Townsend, be organized mainly for the defence of the lower part 
of the Sound. But it is possible their services may be required else¬ 
where, and they should enlist unconditionally. 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


41 



322 


[No. 264.J 


Fort Steilacoom, Feb. 14th, 1856. 


Oapt. Isaac N. Ebey, 

Enrolling Officer, Lower Sound Battalion : 

Sir :—The importance of immediately establishing the posts above 
the falls of the Snoqualmie, is so vital that I have requested Captain 
Gansevoort to despatch the Active to Port Townsend to transport all 
your available forces with the necessary supplies to the mouth of the 
Snohomish. 

The posts indicated in the general instructions will intercept the re¬ 
treat of the enemy, and close the passes over the Cascades. They are 
needed to aid the operations of Pat Kanim. 

Then, sir, push ahead with your characteristic energy; we shall soon 
move from this quarter. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chieh 


[No. 265.] 


Fort Tilton, March 11th, 1856. 


James Tilton, Esq., 

Adj’t Gen. W. T. V., Olympia : 

Sir :—Your despatch, bearing date Feb. 21st., was received through 
the hands of Lt. Huger, on the 22d, on receipt of which, I immediately 
with the assistance of Messrs. Collins and Money, engaged fifteen canoes 
to transport my command up the Snoqualmie river. I was somewhat 
bothered in the operations, as Capt. Pat Kanim threw himself back on 
his dignity, and insisted upon my waiting upon his pleasure, but he at 
last consented to proceed with part of my command up the Snoqualmie 
river to Pat’s house, where we had to remain, as Pat had ordered them 
to take us no further. 

After two days, by using threats, 1 succedcd in making seven of 





223 


them take me up to the Falls, to look for a location to establish a fort ac¬ 
cording to instructions, when I selected the present site which I have ta¬ 
ken the liberty to name “Fort Tilton ” It is situated at the head of ca¬ 
noe navigation, and three miles below the Falls, with a large tract of bot¬ 
tom land around it which is never overflowed. After arriving here, I 
was again delayed in consequence of my being ahead of my supplies, and 
not having the tools to work with. In the mean time, with the assist¬ 
ance of Messrs. Collins & Money, I layed out a road from this place to 
the prairie above the Falls—the said road being six or seven miles in 
length. 

Two days since, on receipt of axes, &c., I immediately put my com¬ 
mand to work, cutting the road for pack animals to travel, which will be 
finished in a couple of days. I have delayed doing any thing on the 
block house at this place, as I was so far behind in my movements in the 
expectation of the Commander-in-Chief, that I thought it advisable to 
push matters through, leaving the block house to be erected by the de¬ 
tachment to remain at this place. Yesterday, by the hands Serg’t Ebey, 
of my command, I received all the back instructions from Capt. I. hi. 
Ebey, together with map of this country, with my line of march laid out. 
I also received by the express running to this station, ammunition and 
other articles forwarded from quartermaster’s department, as per your fa¬ 
vor bearing date February 26th, 1856, which is acceptable. By the ex¬ 
press I learn that Kanim’s company is at Fort Ebey, and will be at this 
station to-morrow to report for duty. 

A portion of Capt. Howe’s company is also at Fort Ebey—say 18, 
and talk of remaining there for some fifteen days: for what purpose I 
cannot tell. 

I have sent an exprees to them, ordering them to this station to re¬ 
port themselves (I acting as inspecting officer) without delay. So I am 
in hopes that all of this division will be at this place in four or five days 
from date, when a Major will be elected, and the line of march taken up. 

I have so far labored under great difficulties in the other companies of 
this battalion not using proper exertions in pushing business, and in get¬ 
ting animals to pack our provisions. I am in hopes of obtaining some 
from Pat Kanim, and I have also sent this day a detachment of twenty 
men, under Lieut. Mounts with five Indians, to secure five horses that 
are roving above the Falls, and the Indians tell me they belong to the 
enemy. My Indian auxiliaries are hard to get along with. In my opin¬ 
ion all are rather inclined to show the white feather. As yet, the quar¬ 
termaster has been unable to furnish me with tents, but I shall start 
without them if I can only raise pack animals enough to pack ten day’s 
provisions for the detachment. The balance of the time I remain at this 



324 


place, awaiting the arrival of the other companies, I shall employ in erec¬ 
ting’ the block-house at which I shall commence to-morrow. 

So far the movements of this division have been very expensive, as we 
had to deal with a hard crowd, and slow in their movements. But I as¬ 
sure you in all my operations thus far, I have exerted myself to push mat¬ 
ters, and at the same time, to avoid any unnecessary outlay in the way of 
expenses. 

This evening Lieut. Mounts and party returned, bringing in four 
horses. Report no Indians on the upper prairie. Expecting to date my 
next letter on the line of march, 

I remain, very respectfully, &c., 

(Signed,) J. J. H. VAN BOKKELEN, 

Capt. Co. G, 2d Regt. W. T. Y. 

I have to report Dr. Bigelow for neglect of duty; he will not come 
to this place, but is constantly visiting Penn’s Cove and other places, 
(instead of attending to his business) for no earthly purpose. 

(Signed,) ^ J. J. H. VAN BOKKELEN, 

Capt. Co. G, 2d Reg’t. W. T. Y. 


[No. 266.] 


Fort Ebey, March 10th, 1856. 


James Tilton, 

Adjutant General "W. T. V.: 

Sir :—In obedience to your order 21st February, directing me to 
proceed up the Snoqualmie river and form a junction with Captain Yan 
Bokkelen, &c., I have endeavored to carry out with the utmost despatch. 

By the steamer “ Traveller,” I was enabled to send up that portion 
of my command which were stationed at Port Townsend, on the first 
inst., under command of orderly sergeant, J. T. Turner. Immediately on 
landing said detachment at Fort Ebey she returned to Penn’s Cove. On 
her arrival at that place I got on board my supplies and started up to 
Fort Ebey, where I arrived on the 8th inst., with the balance of my 



325 


■company of 24 men present, as shown on my muster and descriptive roll, 
which you will please find enclosed. 

My company are in high spirits, and anxious to enter the field. I 
have made the necessary requisitions upon Quartermaster Robinson for 
supplies, but I am sorry to say that he is unable to meet them as prompt¬ 
ly as might be desirable. I have thought that matters might be expedi¬ 
ted by remaining at this place until my supplies might reach here, which 
I have been assured by the Commissary wouid not exceed eight days, by 
which time, I shall be enabled to procure a sufficient number of canoes to 
transport my men and supplies to the Falls without delay. I am aware 
that a more prompt movement was expected in this quarter, and I assure 
you that nothing would have been more gratifying to myself and men, 
could I have accelerated my movements in the premises. 

But considering the force already at the Falls, and my scant sup¬ 
plies, I have thought that the movement of the troops from the Falls 
might be expedited by remaining at Fort Ebey until my supplies arrive. 

You will perceive by my muster roll that seven of my company are 
absent without leave. Permit me to state in relation thereto that many 
members of my company volunteered their services expecting that the 
orders issued to the Major, bearing date February 2d, would be adhered 
to. 

Those seven are among the number who persist in not joining the 
c ompany after having been duly notified so to do. I have used no com¬ 
pulsory means as yet, all of them have families, some have drawn cloth¬ 
ing, and some have not. I wish to be advised in regard to the matter. 

I regret exceedingly that I could not be furnished with rifles, for a 
majority of my company are unaccustomed to muskets. I have been 
kindly furnished with 500 ball cartridges (musket) by Capt. Alden, be¬ 
sides those I have not a single ball, buckshot or cartridge box, nor have 
I any moulds to make balls with. I hope to get an addition of arms, 
accoutrements and ammunition before I leave this place. 

When my company was organized, there was a promise made to the 
members that, when the company became concentrated, and upon service 
together, there would be another election of officers, hi order that all 
might have a voice in the election, that there might be no complaint here¬ 
after. I have to report no changes, except that of 2d Lieut. Sewell, who 
tendered his resignation to me. Thereupon, I ordered an election, which 
resulted in the election of Benj. Welcher, 2d Lieutenant, whom you will 
commission. Sewell’s resignation accompanies this for your acceptance. 
I have no news of importance from Capt. Yan Bokkelen, more than he 
has moved up to the Falls. 

There has no election for Major taken place as yet, but there will be 


326 


General Orders No. 4, upon the concentration of the two companies. I 
am somewhat at a loss to know the position of Col. Ebey—if he is a 
commissioned officer belonging to the Governor’s staff. I should like to 
be informed, for I have been unable to find out from him his position, and 
how far his authority extended. I shall be ever ready to respect it when 
I comprehend what it is. He claims to be a private in my company, and 
to say the least of it, he cannot consistently be a private and an officer at 
the same time. 

Col. M. T. Simmons left here this morning for the Falls, to see Pat 
Kanim. Dr. McCurdy is here -with me awaiting instructions. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

(Signed,) S. D. HOWE, 

Captain Co. I, Northern Battalion. 


[No. 267.] 


Fort Hays, Connell’s Prairie, 
April 2d, 1856. 


His Excellency I. I. Stevens, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief W. T. Y., Olympia : 

Sir :—In conversation with Col. Shaw, he has expressed himself to 
me that he thought you might think it advisable to order my commaud 
back to the Snoqualmie country. If such should be your decision, here¬ 
after I would beg leave to make the following suggestions in relation to 
the course best to take in returning : 

I do not think it advisable, without it is intended to carry out your 
regular plans in the present campaign, to return by way of Steilacoom, 
and from that post, by water to the Falls, as there will be a great delay, 
and we will be placed at the mercy of the Indians for means of transpor¬ 
tation ; and again, I will not be able to take my pack animals with me, 
(of which I have nine) or to take cattle, of which I will require at least 
two yoke, in case you shall see fit to .order a block house erected on Ran¬ 
ger prairie, to haul the timber for the same. 




327 


Again, if we return by the route we came, we have 62 miles- to trav- 
el to the prairie, and 68 to Fort Tilton—the greatest part of the road is 
to be cut so pack animals can pass. We can go through in 14 days, ma¬ 
king a good trail, which I am of opinion will be of service hereafter for 
communicating with the different posts. There will be no difficulty in 
having the road cut by Company G, if they are supplied with saws and 
axes, and are allowed extra, the same as the Pioneer company, which 
company I understand, is all owed extra for such work. If Col. Shaw 
should be mistaken as to the future movements of my command, they are 
ready to move in any direction they are ordered. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) J. J. H. VAN BOKKBLEN, 

Com’g Co. B, W. T. Yolunteers, 


[No. 268.] 

Description of Route taken by the Northern Battalion, in' coming- 
from Fort Tilton to Fort Hays. 

Monday, March 16—Left Fort Tilton at 12 o’clock, camped that 
night on Ranger’s prairie, three miles above Snoqualmie Falls; travelling 
in all six miles. 

Tuesday, llth—Crossed spur of mountains between Snoqualmie and 
Cedar creek; came into a small prairie on Cedar creek, and camped. 

Wednesday, 18th—Traveled down Cedar creek six miles, crossed, 
had to raise a steep hill, traveled down the creek three miles and camped 
in a bottom of burnt timber, (near by a prairie.) 

Thursday, 19th—Raining hard; remained in camp all day. 

Friday, 20th—Left camp for Green river; struck Green river after 
traveling ten miles; left the river and struck around the side of a bald 
mountain; (Green river making a great bend at this place,) traveled 8 
miles and camped on a small lake. 

Saturday, 21st—After traveling three miles, struck a branch of 
Green river too deep to cross; turned down the river, and traveled three 



328 


miles; came upon Indian camp where’Pat Kanim first commenced bus 
fight; traveled one mile down- river, and came to Leschi’s winter quar¬ 
ters; camped. 

Sunday, 22d—After burningthe Indian houses, crossed the river 
and followed the river bottom down till we struck the Muckleshoot trail; 
traveled to Muckleshoot, distance five miles; from there traveled to Por¬ 
ter’s prairie, seven miles; camped, (could have made a shorter march, but 
was informed that river was too high to cross at lower ford.) 

Monday, 23d—Came to block house lower end of prairie; crossed 
White river, and arrived at Connell’s prairie, traveling four miles. 

I am under the impression that the march could be made in forty 
miles, as we were compelled to take a very circuitous route to avoid high 
water, as it rained during the entire march. 

Truly, your obedient servant, 

( Signed,) J. J. H. VAN BOKKELEN, 

Com’g N. B. W. T. Vol. 


[No. 269.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, ) 
Olympia, March 26th, 1856. j 

Major J. J. H. Van Bokkelen, 

Com’g Northern Battalion, Fort Hays: 

^ dispatch of the 24th inst., announcing your arrival at 
Fort Hays, eight days from the Snoqualmie, was received early yesterday 
morning. You and your command are entitled to my special thanks for 
the successful accomplishment of the expedition, for though you were not 
fortunate in meeting any Indians, the moral effect upon the ememy must 
be great. 

I regret to be informed that Pat Kanim has not come up to the mark 
Your course in retaining John Taylor and his men is approved. 

1 on will be supplied' with provisions from the depot at Fort Hays. 
Gen. Miller will write you by this express. 







Other matters will be referred to in a communication which you will 
receive by this express from the Adjutant General’s office. 

I have the honor to be, 

Very respectfully, &c., 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Com.-in-Chief, W. T. V. 


[ No. 270. ] 


Fort Hays, Connell’s Prairie, 
April 1st, 1856. 


His Excellency, Isaac I. Stevens, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief, Olympia, W. T.: 

Sir :—Since my last communication, my command, in conjunction 
with Major Hay’s command, took a tramp through the surrounding coun¬ 
try laying at the head waters of the Puyallup river. We went through 
a large section of country of but little value to either the whites or Indi¬ 
ans. In our march we found some Indian signs, say of about eight or 
ten, with their horses, but we did not succeed in finding a camp. It is 
my opinion that they have all fell back to the base of the mountains, to 
cross over at the first sign of our approach, as they are disheartened 
from the reception given to them by the-Central Battalion on the eleventh 
of last month. 

It may be their intention only to remove their families out of the 
reach of danger, and again visit us ; if so, we will be ready for them. 
I believe it is the intention of Major Hays to make another scout to the 
head waters of White river, to thoroughly examine that country for 
them, and I am in'hopes we will meet with better success. By the ex¬ 
press of yesterday, I received my commission as Major of Northern bate 
talion. I have appointed Mr. Humphrey Hill adjutant to the Northern 
battalion, for whom you will please issue commission. 

I have appointed Mr. Robert C. Hill, of Co. I, clerk of the battalt 
ion. 

I have this day despatched (after consulting with Col.-Shaw) Lieut. 

42 



330 


Ebey and private Lawrey to Port Townsend for the purpose of recruiting, 
to strengthen my battalion, and hope it will meet your sanction. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

J. J, H. VAN BOKKELEN, 

Com’g. N. B. W. T. V. 


[No. 271.1 


Fort Tilton, April 27th, 1856. 


Hon. James Tilton, 

Adjutant General, Olympia, W. T.: 

Sir :—Since my last of the 30th of March, I have kept things in 
motion to the utmost of my abilities. I had a hard time in getting up 
the river to this place. The river was very high, and it rained inces¬ 
santly the entire passage, and for ten days after my arrival here. I set 
at work and put up a log house to quarter my men—some of whom were 
sick; in fact, I have a very few able for duty; but by care and attention 
I got them, or some of them, on to their feet again, and with a part of 
my command, and a small detachment of Capt. Howe’s, I started on a 
scout towards the Snoqualmie pass, but found no signs of any of the hos¬ 
tile tribes, and returned. Having received no orders, andbeing anxious to 
be stirring, I advised Capt. Howe to prepare to accompany me with 18 
men from his command (leaving this place in command of 1st Lieutenant 
Beam, of Co. I, and 10 men) en route for the Muckleshoot, to join 
Major Van Bokkelen. When on the eve of departure, and every tiling- 
packed for a start, Lieut. Eitzhugh and Col. Simmons arrived, and ad¬ 
vised us of the whereabouts of a portion of the enemy,, who were by the 
last accounts, secreted in the swamp back of the lake of which Black 
river is the outlet. We had the worst kind of weather—raining all the 
way over. We camped the third day right within half a mile of where 
they were encamped three days before; but Mr. Yessler had been up 
there several times, and every time they moved further up the lake, but 
notwithstanding all our inconveniences, if we had a guide, or even a good 
chart of the country, I think we could have captured and killed the most 



331 


of them before they knew who were after them. But our provisions being 
totally exhausted, we had to take up our line of march for Seattle, it 
raining incessantly, and we having to wade for half the way, and for up¬ 
wards of three miles, waist deep in water, and through almost impenetra¬ 
ble thickets. 

Arrived at Capt. Lander’s fort, situated four miles above Seattle, on 
the Bewamish river, we got a day’s rations, and moved to a Mr. Maple’s 
barn a mile below, and camped for the night. We there learned that 
Mr. Yessler had been commissioned to get these Indians in, and conclu¬ 
ded to wait until he returned, and if they come in to fit out for the Muck- 
leshoot prairie. Before he returned, I saw Mr. Hanna, of Port Town¬ 
send, and he informed me that the whole battalion were ordered to this 
place. We immediately got in readiness and returned, arriving here last 
night, making the march from the mouth of Cedar river to this place in 
two days, being a forced march of one day on account of the scarcity of 
rations. 

I learn from Mr. Charles Thompson, who arrived here just before 
us, that there had been orders sent to me, but that Lieut. Col. Fitzhugh 
had taken them to Seattle, expecting to meet us there, but was delayed 
on account of the rainy weather. 

I shall remain here in readiness for any orders until the arrival of 
Major Yan Bokkelen. I propose to send a scout also to-morrow or next 
day, (as soon as the men recruit a little) out on the Snoqualmie trail to 
meet him and ascertain if there are any fresh signs, &c. 

If it is possible to procure a few U. S. rifles for my command, I feel 
confident that we eould turn them to good account, for these county arms 
are much inferior to a common shot gun. Three or four rifles would 
strengthen us very much. The other company have some. 

I close, hoping that what I have done will meet your approbation. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

R. Y. PEABODY, 

Capt. Co. H, N. B. W. T. Y. 


(Signed,) 


322 


[No. 272.1 


Fort Tn/rotf, April 27th, 1856. 


Adj’t General James Tilton, 

Washington Territory Volunteers, Olympia : 

Si R .—i have some time since completed a very substantial block 
house at this point, and upon the arrival of Capt. Peabody and his com¬ 
mand of twenty-four men at this place, we immediately made arrange¬ 
ments for a march in the direction of the lakes in the vicinity of Seattle. 
After making the necessary arrangements preparatory to marching, we 
accordingly set out on the morning of the 14th inst., with my command 
of twenty men, and Capt Peabody, twenty-four men rank and file, for the 
above named place, having left a detachment of ten men at Fort Tilton 
under the command of my first Lieut. Beam. After a three days’ march 
through an incessant rain, (my men drenched to the skin) we arrived at 
the mouth of Cedar river, and there discovered some Indian signs, such 
as foot prints fresh upon the sand. We scoured the country thoroughly 
in this direction and found but one Indian, or saw but one, and he was 
far in the distance, and consequently escaped; after which, we resumed 
our march into Seattle. 

On the way down, I fell in with Capt. Yessler, from whom I learned 
that lie was then en route for the lakes (having previously made arrange¬ 
ments with the Indians there to come down) he accordingly had set 
out to bring them in. After remaining at Seattle a few days to recruit 
my men and supplies,, I returned again by the same route that we came, 
and arrived at Fort Tilton on the 26th inst., meeting with no accident on 
the’route, except one of my Indians wounded through the fleshy part of 
the arm by the accidental discharge of a musket. 

I have taken the liberty to have in my company six northern Indians, 
whom I have found to be very serviceable soldiers, and anxious to fight if 
a chance is given them. Had we been favored with a guide, and a chart 
of the country, something doubtless might have been effected in that vi¬ 
cinity. It is no very pleasant reflection to tramp through this country, 
knowing not where you are, nor where you may find supplies; half the 
time not knowing whether to turn to the right or left. 

I have not had the pleasure of receiving any cartridge boxes for my 
command, something that I have so often requested: of which I have 
stood so much in need, until I arrived at Seattle, and there made arrange¬ 
ments with the quartermaster to have them made and furnished me at 
his earliest opportunity. Linen or canvass bags, I assure you, don’t prove 
water proof in these parts in rainy weather. 

I understand that Major Van Bokkelen is moving in this direction. 


833 


I shall remain here until his arrival. I have not had the pleasure of re¬ 
ceiving any official documents from any one since I arrived at this place. 
I shall have to request of you to accept of my resignation, as I have pri¬ 
vate business to attend to which requires my presence. 

I have the honor to be, 

Very respectfully, Ac., 

(Signed,) S. D. HOWE, 

Captain Co. 1, Northern Battalion. 


[ No. 2T3. ] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, April 27th, 1856, 


Major Van Bokkelen, 

Com’g. Northern Battalion, 2d Reg. W. T. V.: 

Sir :—As soon as practicable, after the receipt of these orders, you 
will turn over the charge of the post now occupied by your command to 
Lieut. Col. Shaw r , and start for Fort Tilton to concentrate your battalion 
by junction with the companies commanded by Captains Howe and Pea¬ 
body. 

You will proceed towards the Nachess pass, by the military road, to 
some point on the road from which you came, off towards the Snoqualmie 
falls, and thus traverse a region of country which no party has yet passed. 
It is left to your discretion, upon consultation with Col. Shaw, to determ¬ 
ine the route, so as not to interfere with his proposed movements. Bear 
in mind that the object is to explore country not yet occupied or passed 
over by troops, and if possible, strike the enemy in any fastnesses they 
may have upon the western bone of the mountains, or upon the heads of 
the rivers emptying into the Sound. 

After arriving at Fort Tilton, you will leave a sufficient garrison 
there, and proceed with your battalion to the prairies above the Falls— 
erect there a block house, with pickets and a corral, for horses which may 
hereafter be required there, and employ your command in scouting the 
adjacent country, and particularly in watching the Snoqualmie pass. 



334 


The duty of guarding the settlements upon the Sound from attacks of 
the hostiles by the way of the Snoqualmie pass is entrusted to you. Send 
scouting parties as far into the pass as possible, and make reports to head 
quarters relative to the depth and distance occupied by the snows upon 
it. Also, your opinion as to the probable time at which any considerable 
body of the enemy could cross into the Sound region by way of the pass. 

Upon your march from the point at which you leave the military 
road to proceed to the Suoqualmie falls, make topographical notes 
of the country, showing the distances, (estimated) between cross¬ 
ings of streams, descriptions of prairies traversed, or which you may dis¬ 
cover near your route—the distances to the mountains, character of the 
ground passed over—whether level, rolling or mountainous, and all other 
matters which will assist in the delineation of the country upon a military 
map, which is being made at the office of the Commander-in-Chief. Cause 
a sketch of the country to be prepared and send it here. 

With full confidence in your energy, intelligence and zeal in the per¬ 
formance of the arduous duty before you. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adjutant General W. T. V. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


P. S.—Col. Fitzhugh, lately from Fort Tilton, reports four months 7 
provisions there for sixty men. 

First Lieut. Edward Gibson, aid, has been despatched to Port Town¬ 
send to take supplies of all kinds to meet you at Fort Tilton. 

Report before marching, to this office, and inform the quartermaster 
of any articles wanted at the Falls, which you may think could not be 
supplied by the quartermaster at Port Townsend. 

Capts. Howe and Peabody have made an expedition through the 
country from Fort Tilton to Seattle, and when last heard from, were re¬ 
turning to the Falls. 


335 


[No. 214.] 


Hanger's Prairie, May 23d, 1856. 


James Tilton, Esq., 

Adjutant General Washington Territory : 

Sir : — I arrived on this prairie (called by some Snoqualmie prairie) 
yesterday at 3 o'clock P. M., being the 8th day from Fort Hays. Du¬ 
ring the march I have thoroughly examined the country at the base of 
the mountains, and my route the greatest part of the way was over a 
country that has never been traveled by white man. 

I found on Green river, under the mountains, various camps of the 
enemy that had been abandoned not over a month since. These trails all 
led down to the settlements except that of two or three Indians and one 
horse, that I followed to the edge of the snow in the Snoqualmie pass, 
but think they did not cross, as we could see no signs in the snow, (they 
may have crossed before the last fall of snow) we found their camp fires 
all along their route. 

I am under the impression it was an express going across the mount¬ 
ains. 

Since my arrival here I have had too much business on hand to get 
things under way to make a full report as to my march, but will do it as 
soon as I have leisure. I sent Capt. Smalley over the summit with a de¬ 
tachment, and he reports to me that there is but two and a half to three 
miles of snow—the greatest depth four feet. 

In case of necessity, Captain Smalley and myself are satisfied that a 
train could pass over at this time with the labor of twenty men with 
shovels for six hours (we have been both snowed in in the California 
mountains, and have used the same means of working a train through.) 
Nothing is impossible, where there is a will, and a movement can be made 
through the Snoqualmie pass with no difficulty as soon as it can be got 
ready, and a long ways ahead of the regulars through the Nachess pass. 

I have applied to the Commander-in-Chief to send sixty-five men of 
this battalion over the mountains with the main body, and am desirous 
of having them mounted. I shall commence to-morrow to erect a com¬ 
missary building and hospital on Ranger's prairie, and shall send an ad¬ 
vance guard on the Snoqualmie trail, to erect a breast work at the pres¬ 
ent snow line, keeping a scout on the summit. 

As soon as the snow will admit, I shall advance the guard to the 
summit prairie, (if not otherwise ordered,) which is the only station that 
the pass can be protected with a small party. 

I send this with an express across land by the route I traveled, con- 


336 


sisting of three men, to test the time taken to travel thejcxute,? and'in 
case the Commander-in-Chief should see fit to order the movement of the 
volunteer forces across this pass, they would act as guides to the party. 
If the movement should be made, it will be necessary to start some 
twelve men with axes ahead, to improve the trail so that party could pass 
through with despatch. 

The express is not of the best informed men, but they can give you 
a correct account of this route. 

Your communications bearing date of the 17th and 18th inst., [was 
received to-day, and I shall act in accordance. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

VAN BOKKELEN, 

Maj. N. B. W. T. Y. 


[No. 275.] 


Fort Tilton, May 24th ; 185G. 


James Tilton, 

Adjutant General W. T. Y.: 

Sir :—In my despatch by land, I forgot to mention that it will be 
necessary to have oxen on Ranger’s prairie to haul rails for a corral, as 
the timber is a long way from the place where I will put up the buildings, 
and the lumber I am using I have to raft down stream. 

Truly and respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

(Signed,) J. J. H. YAN BOKKELEN, 

Maj. Oom’g N. B. W. T. V. 


[No. 27G.] 


Ranger’s Prairie, 

May 23d, 1856. 


Gov. I. I. Stevens, 

Commander-in-Ohief, W. T. Y., Olympia : 

Sir :—I arrived at this place after scouting between Fort Hays and 






337 


here. I visited the summit on the Snoqualmie pass, and found but four 
feet of snow, which does not extend more than two and a half or three 
mile3, and is fast sinking. Capt. Smalley and myself are under the impres¬ 
sion that a party can cross with the assistance of the labor of twelv' 
men for six hours at this time, and by the time the expedition can be go 
ready, it can cross without any labor. 

I would like, if in accordance with your arrangements for the future 
to take sixty or sixty-five men of this battalion over the mountains to b 
mounted, if the animals and fixtures can be procured. 

Since my arrival here, I have received two communications from 
your office, and shall proceed immediately to carry out the instructions. 
You may rest assured that I will leave nothing undone that will tend to 
make the movements of the volunteer forces successful, and to carry out 
any orders I may receive from your office. 

At an election held in Company I, to fill the vacancy caused by the 
resignation of Captain Howe, on the 21st. inst., George W. Beam was 
elected Captain, and Thomas Sinnot was elected 1st Lieutenant. You 
will please forward commissions to the above officers. 

Through some oversight, Benjamin Welcher, who was elected 2d 
Lieutenant of Company I, on the 10th of March last, has never received 
his commission. You will please forward it with the others. 

Truly, your obedient servant, 

('Signed,) * J. J. H. YAN BOKKELEN, 

Com’g X. B. W. T. Yol. 


[No. 2TT.] 


Executive Office, Olympia, W. T., 
June 4th, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. E. C, Pitzhugh, 

Aid-de-Camp, Holmes Harbor: 

Sir : —I have conversed with the messengers of Te-i-as, and Owhi, 
and have directed them to return to Te-i-as and Owhi, and invite them 
and all friendly Indians to come, with their women and children, to the 
43 



338 


prairie above tbe falls of the Snoqualmie, and submit unconditionally to 
the justice and mercy of the government. 

Absolute and unconditional submission is required. Those guilty of 
murders, or who have urged on the war, will be punished. The remain¬ 
der will be treated with mercy, as in the case of the Indians on the 
Sound. 

On the arrival of these Indians at the prairie, you will, in connec¬ 
tion with Col Simmons, examine fully into their connection with the war, 
and in case of their deserving punishment, organize a military commission, 
have them tried, and carry into effect the decision of the court. I invest 
you with my whole authority in ordering and approving the proceedings 
of the commission. 

You are authorized, however, either to suspend the execution of the 
sentence, or defer the trial of the criminals for the period which reason 
and policy may require. 

If thus deferring the trial or execution of the sentence would favor 
more criminals being got in, or would tend to bring over all the Indians 
who have opposed the war, and are sincerely desirous of peace, or would 
enable Col. Shaw to strike a blow at the hostiles by falling on them una¬ 
wares, or if any other advantage could result, then let the matter be de¬ 
ferred. 

Should it be deemed advisable by yourself and Col. Simmons for me 
to visit the Indians on the Snoqualmie, send for me and I will go. And 
you wilt exercise your own judgment as to sending any of the chiefs or 
people to Olympia to see me. 

I shall immediatciy push up the Snoqualmie a supply of provisions 
for the Indians. 

When Lieut. Col. Shaw starts for the Snoqualmie I will advise you 
by special express. 

Having had a full personal conference with Col. Simmons, I write 
necessarily briefly. 

I say to both of you, use your own judgment in effecting the end 
desired, and you will be right. 

You will make known to Major Yan Bokkelen the duties with which 
you are charged, and you will make with him the necessary arrangements 
to insure the safety of the Indians on their way to the place of rendez¬ 
vous. 

Yours, most respectfully, 

(Signed,). ISAAC I. STEVEIS'S, 

Gov. and Commander-m-Chiei 


[No. 218.] 


339 


Holme’s Harbor, W. T., 
June 20th, 1856. 


} 


Gov. I. I. Stevens, 

Commander-in-Chief, Port Townsend: 

Sir :—I regret to inform you that the mission you were pleased to 
entrust to Col. Simmons and myself has turned out a perfect failure. 
The causes of the failure I cannot give you in full, but will tell you why 
we think we were not partially successful. 

Col. Wright of the “ regulars, ” has for the last month been enter¬ 
taining the Indians over the other side of the mountains, besides feeding 
the tyees, making them presents, &c., &c., after having sent for reinforce¬ 
ments to different points, and tickling the community with the belief that 
he intended speedily to demolish all the Indians on the east side. He is 
stid holding a talk with them, with what expectation I cannot tell. The 
Indians would not come over to us, as they hoped to get better terms from 
him. 

Our Indians informed us that Col. Wright told all of them that he 
was the “ Big Dog ” in this part of the world, and had come a long dis¬ 
tance to treat with them, and if they would only stop fighting, that all 
would be right. 

The Indians of course, are willing to play quits, save all their people 
and stop the war. If they succeed in doing that, as soon as they are 
well prepared to carry on the war with any prospects of success, the gov¬ 
ernment will have the same expenses and trouble over again. They noti¬ 
fied us that as soon as they made friends of the soldiers, they would come 
over and treat, but as there was no time specified, we thought there was 
no use of our remaining. We accordingly left. This is the end of your 
attempt to treat after nearly two months’ time being consumed, to say 
nothing of some five or six hundred dollars it has cost the government. 

I believe that you are entirely correct in your impression, that they 
only wished to gain time and information. I believe that Owhi and Te- 
i-as, and some of the sub-chiefs of their band would have surrendered 
unconditionally to government, but for the inducements held out to them 
by Col. Wright, that they could treat with him on better terms, and save 
all their people. As things now are, they will have to be well thrashed 
before they will treat. 

From the beginning of the difficulty to the present time, the regu¬ 
lars, from their Commander-in-Chief down, have stultified themselves. 
They have done no fighting, and now they wish to patch up a treaty, so 
as to get the credit for putting an end to the war. 


340 


J must refer you to Col. Simmons for all particulars, as lie goes di¬ 
rect to Olympia. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) E. C. FITZHUGH, 

Aid-de-Camp. 


[No. 279.] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, May 28, 1856. 


Major J. »T. Van Bokkelin, 

Commanding Northern Battalion : 

Sm :—Your express reached Oiympia yesterday with information of 
your arrival at the Falls of the Snoqualmie, of the quantity of snow in the 
pass, and the practicability of the route. From the- information given by 
Mr. Vincent, there would seem to be little doubt of the practicability of 
pushing a wagon train from Montgomery’s to the Rattlesnake prairie, and 
thence over the pass to the main Yakima. 

It will require some five or six days to get the wagon and pack trains 
in readiness. Every exertion will be made to have every thing in readh 
ness to move in six days. 

To verify the information given as to the practicability of getting 
through a wagon train, I send with your express, Lieut. Huger, the acting 
Adjutant of the regiment. 

If on an inspection of the route, and after conference with you, he 
shall be of opinion that a wagon train can be pushed from Montgomery’s 
to the Rattlesnake prairie say in six or seven days, and thence to the 
main Yakima over the pass in three or four days more, he will arrange 
with you the putting of a strong working party to open the road simulta¬ 
neously from Rattlesnake prairie to Frog Pond, and from Rattlesnake 
prairie to the pass. 

On the return of Lieut. Huger with information of the practicability 
of the route, a strong working party will be moved immediately from this 
quarter to meet your working party at Frog Pond. 






341 


My information derived from Mr. Vincent is that Frog Pond is some 
four miles beyond Green river, and twenty-five miles this side of Rattle- 
snake prairie. 

In the event that the wagon train can be pushed over the Snoqual- 
mie pass to the main V akima, it is intended to establish a post and depot 
at the first named prairie, and to garrison it with a detachment from your 
command. 

This will leave available to strike and pursue the enemy the whole 
mounted force, and they will have a depot where to draw supplies. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor Washington Territory. 


[No. 280.] 

Snoqualmie Pass, June 24th, 1856. 

Adj’t Gen. James Tilton, 

W. T. V., Olympia : 

Sir : — In accordance with my last communication, the parties started 
for this place by the different trails. I went with Capt. Beam and his 
company by the foot trail from Rangers’ prairie, sending the pack train 
with Company I and H by the horse trail on Cedar creek. After trav> 
eling a mile through the bottom I came into a prairie of fine grass, about 
two and one-half miles long and three-fourths wide. After leaving the 
prairie I went through the timber for a mile and struck a burnt prairie 
with rock soil about three miles long, after leaving which I commenced a 
gradual rise to the summit of the pass, which thirty-five miles from Rang¬ 
ers’ prairie the whole trail is a gradual rise, but greatly obstructed with 
timber and would require considerable labor to open. After raising the 
summit we lost the old Indian trail, and I took a road with a gradual 
slope to the south, with the intention of striking Cichelass Lake, which I 
struck after traveling fourteen miles. About four miles before I struck 
the lake I found an Indian trail which I followed to within one hundred 
yards of the lake, where I found blazes on the trees to the lake which ap- 



342 


•peared to have been made by white men ; commencing from the lake they 
must have gone that far and returned, giving it up as a bad job. I should 
like to know if a white man has ever been through before we went through 
this time, for we could find no signs of white men on the road. The trail 
at this place run into the lake, and the Indians in using this trail must 
either cross the lake in canoes or travel around the shores of the lake in 
the dry season. From this place we took the western side of the lake and 
forced our way along over rocks and timber, up hill and down, for eight 
miles, till we got to the lower end of the lake, when we struck the pack 
trail where we camped. 

Towards evening Capt. Smalley came down from the summit with a 
detachment for the purpose of meeting my party. lie reports that the 
party with the train is on the summit hill, and had thought it advisable 
to stop them at this place till he saw me, for if the animals were brought 
down to the river they would not be enabled to return to Rangers’ prairie 
to pack out again before we would consume what provisions we had on 
hand. This was the fifth day from camp. 

The next morning, with a small party, I started down the river 
which forms the Yakima, to examine the country. I went some five 
miles and found the country to continue too open to guard with my small 
party, so I returned, sending two men ahead to examine the trail and to 
look for signs, as I was desirous to return to camp to see what could be 
done towards getting the party ahead. After arriving in camp I found 
there was but six days provisions on hand and not over eight horses that 
was fit to pack, as the others had tender feet; so I ordered them to fall 
back to the foot of the summit hill as it would not do for them to remain 
at this place as it has been storming for the last week, and there await 
till I could learn whether the Quartermaster Department would answer 
my requisition for horses or not, for if the horses are not sent me, I will 
be compelled to fall back to Rangers’ prairie, where I will be within reach 
of provisions. 

In relation to this pass, I have been totally deceived in representations 
of it made to me ; as far as I have been I have found no place that a 
party can effectually guard it. At times I am of the opinion that by 
holding Fort Tilton, Fort Alder and Rattlesnake prairie, we can effect¬ 
ually guard this section of the country as at any other point. I shall re¬ 
main at this place until I hear from your office. 

I am, sir, respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) J. J. H. YAN BOKKELIN, 

Maj. Com’g. Northern Battalion, W. T. Y. 


343 


[No. 281.] 

Fort Alder, June 28th, 1856. 

James Tilton, Esq., 

Adj. General W. T. V., Olympia : 

Sir :—I arrived at this place on the evening of the 26 th, after trav¬ 
eling through rain for forty-five miles with my pack on my back, which 
business of making pack animals of ourselves for the want of proper ani¬ 
mals, (which I understand the other battalions have been supplied with, 
both to ride as well as to pack, whilst this battalion cannot obtain enough 
to pack twenty days rations to make a move that may be of some credit 
to themselves and those that command them,) both the battalion and my¬ 
self are sick of. 

I found the various communications from your office which the ex¬ 
press had brought through, but no horses from the Quartermaster’s De¬ 
partment, which was a great disappointment,, as for the want of them, I 
have been compelled to order the command to fall back from Summit to- 
Rattlesnake prairie, where I shall station them to the best advantage so- 
that I can supply them with provisions. 

The men that I sent down towards the Yakima valley returned the 
morning I left camp and report having gone down the river twenty miles, 
after crossing the river where they left me. After traveling three-fourths 
of a mile they found the trail that I should have followed, coming into the 
pack trail. After travelling sixteen miles, they came to a narrow place 
about three-fourths of a mile wide, with the mountains coming together on 
both sides ; after which, the country opened into the valley. This place 
they report to me as a good location for a fort, to defend the pass. They 
went four miles further into the valley when they came upon an Indian 
encampment, which had not been adandoned over 24 hours. From the 
corral they must have had considerable stock. They had their fish traps 
in the river. 

I forgot to state that the first morning after the train camped on the 
Summit prairie the guard at three o’clock, a. m., discovered three Indians 
on the edge of the timber watching camp. The alarm was given and 
pursuit given without success. They must have belonged to the camp 
spoken of, and was on the look-out for us. After finding a location to 
guard the pass it is mortifying and discouraging to have to fall back 
for the want of animals. As soon as the party returns from the Summit, 
I shall erect a block-house on Rattlesnake and another on the foot trail 
on the prairie, cutting a pack trail to the same. 

I have been compelled to detail a portion of this battalion for pioneer 
duty, promising them that they shall be paid at the same rate that other 


\ 


344 


pioneers are paid. You will please inform me if I am right[in promising 
them the same. It is nothing more than just, as in all our movements we 
have gone through an entirely wild country, and have been compelled to 
open our own roads and build roads, and not have it done for us as other 
battalions have; but things may all turn out for the best yet. 

The Quartermaster informs me that he has oxen for me at Port 
Townsend, and if I will detail a party to bring them through, he will de¬ 
liver them at Seattle, which I cannot do, as I cannot spare the men ; and 
again, by the time the cattle gets through the mens’ time will have ex¬ 
pired. 

Those at Port Hays I shall endeavor to get through, as they are 
necessary in this section for work. I have already pretty well opened the 
trail to the Summit, and have ordered the party on their return to put 
some more work upon it. 

Your request in yours of 11th, and relative to the report of the 
amount of articles drawn by each individual cannot be complied with, as 
a portion of the articles furnished by Quartermaster has no prices at¬ 
tached. It will be attended to as soon as the prices can be obtained. 

In accordance with your instructions I shall make requisition on the 
Quartermaster at Port Townsend for supplies for Col. Shaw, and have 
the same in readiness at Port Tilton. 

Respectfully yours, 

(Signed,) J. J. H. VAN BOKKELIN, 

Com’g. Northern Battalion, W. T. Volunteers. 


(No. 282.] 

Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., { 
Olympia, Nov. 9th, 1855 . ’ j 

Capt. C. C. Hewitt, 

Commanding Company H, 1st Regiment W. T. V. : 

Sir Herewith you will receive your commission as Captain of 
Company H, of 1st Regiment Washington Territory Volunteers. 

You will take the enclosed military oath before any magistrate, and 
cause the officers, non-commissioned, privates, to take the same. Any who 
refuse will not be received into the service. 



345 


\ our duty will be to proceed to the Forks of the White river, estab¬ 
lish a communication with Capt. Maloney, report for orders from him to 
act in concert with the forces under his command. 

Yery respectfully, &c., 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adj’t Gen. W. T. Y. 


[No. 283.] 

Seattle, November 12th, 1855. 

Hon. C. H. Mason', 

Acting Governor Washington Territory, Olympia : 

Sir : — On my way to this place I called at Fort Steilacoora. An 
express had just arrived bringing intelligence that Capt. Malony had fal¬ 
len back to within ten miles of the Fort. It will therefore be impossible 
for me to form a junction with him at present on account of high water in 
the White and Puyallup rivers, as well as the stream running across from 
the former to the latter. I have therefore concluded to send out a party 
to blockade the trail leading from Green river to the Sound, and await 
mitil I can get arms for all my company. At present we have but thirty- 
five effective guns, and my company now numbers 62, and I think by to¬ 
morrow will be increased to ^0. 

I have learned by Indians that all the stock on White river has been 
either killed or driven off. I shall, therefore, have to call for more provi¬ 
sions, as I was in hopes to find plenty of beef. 

Sic********** 

We are getting our block-house along as fast as possible. We havf 
the cannon mounted and ready for use. 

Respectfully yours, &c., 

C. C. HEWITT, 

Capt. Company H, W. T. Yolunteers. 


44 



346 


[No. 284.] 


Office Adj’t General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, Nov. 24th, 1855. 


Capt. 0. 0. Hewitt, 

Commanding Company H, W. T. Volunteers : 

Sir :—The steamer “Traveler” is despatched to carry your company 
to your post at junction of White and Green rivers. Should you be called 
upon before leaving Seattle, you will aid the Indian agent or sub-agent 
to remove the Indians from Seattle, and if necessary employ force in co¬ 
ercing obedience from the Indians or preventing any interference from the 
white men who may attempt to prevent their intention to remove the In¬ 
dians from the eastern to the western side of the Sound. 

Report to this office as frequently as possible. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adjutant General W. T. V. 

By order of the Acting G overnor. 


[No. 285.] 


Executive Office, Territory Washington, 
Olympia, Feb. 1st, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. E. Lander, 

Commanding Post at Seattle 

Dear Sir :—I have determined to disband the existing organization 
entirely, and to accept the services of no volunteers, except for six months, 
and subject to the order of the Executive. 

Accordingly, the company recently raised at Seattle will be disband¬ 
ed, and you are instructed to enlist as large a force as possible, in con¬ 
formity with the requirements of the proclamation. 

Every man who enlists must do so with the understanding that he 



347 


enlists for the general defence of the Territory, and that he must move to 
any point, where his services, in the opinion of his commanding officer, are 
most needed. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor Territory Washington. 


[No. 286.] 

Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., \ 
Olympia, April 13th, 1856. ) 

Capt. E. Lander, 

Com'g. Company A, 1st Reg't. W. T. Volunteers : 

Sir :—You are hereby ordered to employ as many more of the In¬ 
dians now upon Dr. Maynard's reservation, together with such as you may 
choose to employ of those now at Seattle—organize the whole into a war 
party, and either command them yourself, or detail a commander. 

Push the party in canoes up the Duwamish river, and give them or¬ 
ders to act against the enemy as they best can, by engaging the parties 
now infesting the country to the eastward of Seattle, and endeavoring to 
drive the hostile savages towards the Muckleshoot prairie, or falling upon 
any parties who may be endeavoring to make their way from the Duwam¬ 
ish river towards the Snoqualmie pass. 

Very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adft Gen’l W. T. V. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-chief, W. T. V. 



348 


[No. 287.] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, Feb. 17 th, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. E. Lander, 

Commanding Seattle : 

Dear Sir :—I have written Capt. Gansevoort, urging him, after the 
Active has landed troops and supplies at the north of the Sno-ho-mish, to 
keep her cruising the whole time between Port Townsend, Bellingham 
Bay, and Seattle. 

You are instructed to see Capt. Gansevoort and enforce this request 
with any argument in your power. I deem it essential to the security of 
the lower settlements from the incursions of the Northern Indians. 

My information is that 16 northern war canoes will, as soon as the 
winter breaks, make a dash upon the Sound. The Active will keep them 
back. 

This information comes from Fitzhugh ; but it will cause no change 
in my plans from the line of the Sno-ho-mish. Pat Kanim has been rein¬ 
forced by 25 friendly Indians, and the operations there must be supported, 
and my instructions to Capt. Ebey vigorously carried out. 

One hundred and sixty volunteers are now at Yelm prairie. The 
works are completed there, and day after to-morrow we move to Mont¬ 
gomery’s. In ten days we hope to be in the heart of the Indian country. 

I shall cover an advance by 80 friendly Indians. 

The weekly express will touch at Seattle both ways. Report fully 
as to operations there, and make your requisitions for supplies early. 

Truly and respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


LNo. 288.] 

Post at Seattle, March 3d, 1856. 

Major James Tilton, 

Adjutant General W. T. V.: 

Sir :—By special instructions of February 12th, I am instructed to 
employ Indians on Dr. Maynard’s^reservation in offensive operations. 



349 


I am informed by the Agent, Dr. Maynard, that they are no longer in¬ 
clined to operate with the whites, and therefore I have not organized those 
Indians. 

In pursuance of special orders of February 1st, I have discharged all 
soldiers refusing to be sworn for the service during six months, and for¬ 
ward original muster roll and muster of March 1st. 

In pursuance of special order from the Commander-in-chief and Sup¬ 
erintendent of Indian Affairs, the Indians at Seattle and on the shore of 
Elliott’s Bay, have been moved to the western shore of Admiraly Inlet. 
Their removal is due to the exertions of H. L. Yesler, assisted by II. H. 
Tobin, special Indian agent. If consistent with the views of the Gom- 
mander-in-chief, Indian agents bringing Indians to that point might be re¬ 
quired to report their arrival and also the number of Indians that may be 
in the company. 

Commander Swartwout has retained for his special service eight In¬ 
dians, with their families. Their names are as follows : “ Old Curly, 

Curley’s Charley, Jim, Lochcy, Bob—(old man at Conley’s,) Cowlitz and 
Jim’s John.” The number of squaws and children with these Indians has 
not been stated to me. 

There is employed in service of the Territory one Indian called 
George, and there are two in private families not yet removed. 

There are grounds for believing that Indians are camped on the lakes 
in this vicinity, and on the streams running into them. In my opinion no 
attack can be made upon them without means of conveyance upon the 
water. 

Indians employed for this purpose can only be obtained by prompt 
payment. Could means of payment be devised for them this difficulty 
would be in some measure overcome. 

Reports by persons deemed trustworthy are made of intended attacks 
upon this post by Indians in force. A scout was made by my command 
in direction of the lake and river but no signs of Indians were discovered, 
and it is thought no immediate attack is to be feared. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) EDWARD LANDER, 

Capt. (Co. A,) Com’g. Post at Seattle. 


350 


[No. 289.] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, Jan. 14th, 1856. 


Col. Crosbie, 

Aid to Commander-in-Chief: 

Sir :•—You will proceed to Seattle. Your mission there is to endea¬ 
vor to impress upon the naval officer in command in the harbor, the utility 
and practicability of a combined naval and military movement from Seat¬ 
tle to the Lake Duwamish. 

The plan which seems best is for the shipping to furnish boats and 
men to man them ; take on board the company “ A,” of Capt. Lander, 
and examine the shores of the Lake, making such expeditions therefrom 
as may seem advisable. 

Or, for the boat expedition to be manned exclusively from the ves¬ 
sels, and the town of Seattle being left garrisoned by detachments from 
the ship, the company of Capt. Lander to cut a road from the town to 
the Lake, join there the naval forces, and erect a block-house or block¬ 
houses at such points as will be easily supplied and communicated with 
upon both the east and the west shores of the Lake. 

The details will of course be governed by circumstances, but the 
chief object of your mission - will be accomplished if you can induce the for¬ 
ces now occupying the town and harbor of Seattle to demonstrate their 
ability to advance, occupy and maintain a footing in the country lyiug 
eastward of Seattle. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) JAMES TILTON, 

Adj J t. Gen. W. T. Volunteers. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


NOTES FOR LIEUT. COL. CROSBIE. 

The Massachusetts, in moving on the Sound, will require but very 
few men in addition to those required to work the steamer. 

The Decatur lying at Seattle is invulnerable to attack, with 40 men 
on board. 



351 


Thus to garrison Seattle and fit out a boat expedition to the Lakes, 
150 men at least would be available. 

Let 50 occupy Seattle. Let 100 men go* with the boats. 

Let Col. Lander build his block-house on the shores of the Lake and 
open the road to Seattle. 

If there be two companies of regulars at Seattle, the whole of them, 
except some thirty occupying two block-houses on the Duwamish—one 
at the Forks of Black and White rivers, and one immediate between these 
Forks and the Forks of Green and White rivers, would be available for 
blows upon the enemy in conjunction with the forges operating from the 
Muckleshoot. 

The boats of the navy could transport their force to any part of the 
Lake, where they might push forward into the country. 

Col. Lander's force would hold the block-house on the Lake and keep 
open the communication with Seattle. 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 290.] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, April 13th, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. Lander, 

Commanding Post on Duwamish River : 

Sir :—Mr. Yesler, of Seattle, reports a possibility of inducing the 
savages now occupying the shores of Lake Washington, Squaw Lake, and 
the country adjacent, to come in to the reservation. 

He also gives it as his opinion that Nelson and others implicated in 
the murders of families upon the Duwamish river, can be taken. 

You are hereby instructed to concert measures for the attainment of 
these objects with Mr. Yesler, and to employ the force under your com¬ 
mand in such a manner as in your opinion will be most conducive to so 
desirable a result. 

Also, you are instructed to make discrimination between such as are pro¬ 
per to send to the reservation, and such as may be tried for the murders 






352 


committed. Collect proof, and bearing in mind that a marked difference 
exists between the persons who have committed murders and incited war, 
and their comparatively innocent followers. 

Those who you may have reason to suppose to be murderers, or to 
have incited the war, you will send here with the witnesses or such other 
proof as you may deem essential, to be tried by a military commission. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) JAMES TILTON, 

Adjt. Gen. W. T. Y. 

By order of the Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 291.] 


Fort on Duwamish River, ) 
April 24th, 1856. ) 


James Tilton, 

Adjutant General W. T. Y.: 

Sir :—I have to report that in pursuance of orders, Mr. Yesler visi¬ 
ted the Indians residing on the Duwamish Lake, and on his return, 
reported to me that nearly forty of them had already started for the 
Duwamish reservation, and that he thought the remainder would consent 
to go there also, when he saw them again. He returned to the Lake at 
once, and on Tuesday the 21st, at noon, he reported to me that all the 
Indians except those in one camp, who refused to come in, had started for 
the reservation by Union Lake portage. 

I immediately detailed Lieut. Neely with a Sergeant and twelve men 
in two canoes to proceed at once to the Lake by the way of Black river, 
with a view of surprising their camp, and striking any Indians who might 
be found on the Lake shore. It was expected that the canoes would be 
able to get to the Lake by dark and strike the Indians at early dawn the 
next morning. Black river however, was-found to be much higher and 
more rapid than usual, and closed to some extent by fallen trees ; and af¬ 
ter working all night in the rain, the command was six miles from the 
camp at day-light the enext morning. Mr. Neely remained concealed 
on shore all that day and a portion of the night, and at twelve o’clock 



353 


started for the camp—landed on the shore, and leaving four men in charge 
of the canoes, marched througbfthe woods for half an hour. At the first 
light he found himself within four hundred yards of two large houses, not 
dismantled, and with every sign of occupancy the day before. Following 
down the trail another house was found and a canoe partially finished. 
The camp was on the edge of a large willow swamp, and could not be 
reached from the Lake through the swamp. No. Indians were found at 
either camp ; they had evidently left the first camp a very short time be¬ 
fore. At the first place of landing were the remains of a large encamp¬ 
ment of at least four hundred. Indians, judging by the fires and other signs. 
Here were found wheat, peas and ox-bones, showing clearly that to this 
place, the Indians who attacked Seattle and plundered and burned the 
houses on the river retreated to enjoy their plunder. Mr. Neeley made a 
very careful examination of the east shore of the Lake, and is satisfied 
that some few Indians are still lurking there. He returned to Black river 
early this morning, finding encamped there on the North bank, Capt. 
Howe, with two companies of the Northern Battalion, on their return to 
Fort Tilton ; Lieut. Nugen with a command of regulars preparing to cross 
with a view to scout, having left Seattle on Thursday, aud Lieut. Denny 
with twenty-one men of Company “A,” who had been ordered to move 
forward to Black river to cross it with the canoes which Lieut. Neely’s 
command would have there by three o’clock on Wednesday ; and having 
crossed it to make the best of his way by means of a compass to the prai¬ 
ries on the meridian line. 

Mr. Denny had arrived on Wednesday at noon in advance of Capt. 
Howe, who had been invited by me to co-operate in the movement. Not 
being met by Lieut. Neely, he proceeded to build a raft but was unable 
to cross his men upon it from the swiftness of the current. 

Mr. Neely, on his arrival with one canoe, ferried over Capt. Howe’s 
command to the north bank of Cedar creek, and with tbe other ferried 
Lieut. Denny’s command over to the south side of Black river, and with 
three men of his detail accompanied Mr. Denny on his route to the prai¬ 
ries, sending back to his post the remainder of his command. 

Although the expedition of Mr. Neeley was unsuccessful in taking or 
destroying the Indians left by Mr. Yesler, owing to their sudden depar¬ 
ture from their camp, yet the command is entitled to great credit for their 
perseverence through the first day and night in endeavoring to reach the 
lake before day, and their patience in remaining hidden until the next 
night, and for their precautions taken to come upon the camp at dawn 
Mr. Neely made every effort to carry out his instructions, and I wouk 
particularly state, that upon their expedition as upon numerous other ex 
peditions since he has been attached to Company “A,” he has. always 
45 


354 


led his scouting parties with great discretion and never failed to do his 
duty, generally of the most fatigueing kind. 

I deem it my duty in this connection to say, that the officers and 
men of this company have always performed their duty most cheerfully 
and faithfully ; and although it has not been their good fortune in numer¬ 
ous searches to find the enemy, nor to be attacked by them, they have 
undergone as much as those whose luck has been better. 

The first occupation of the post at Seattle was a severe duty. The 
alarm of the citizens, and the believed imminent danger of attack rendered 
necessary a long line of sentinels and a corresponding amount of guard 
duty, always harrassing. The work on barricades and large block-house 
was pushed forward as rapidly as possible, and a smaller block-house for 
stores was also built. When by the aid of the naval forces the guard du¬ 
ty was made much lighter, strong scouting parties were pushed out in 
every direction. The woods surrounding Seattle were thoroughly scoured, 
both on the trails and off. The Indians lurking in them were driven out, 
the Duwamish river was freed from them, they were driven over Black 
river, and the whole western shore of the great Lake was examined ; the 
favorite portage of the Indians, between the great Lake and the Sound, 
by the way of Lake TJnion and Salmon Bay, was watched by parties night 
and day until they ceased to use it. 

On the arrival of Oapt. Swartwout upon the Massachusetts , the oc¬ 
cupation of the town by the naval forces being understood from him to be 
permanent, which had not previously been the case, and the completion of 
the block-houses in Seattle, a large block-house was commenced in Seattle 
to be erected upon the Duwamish river, as no suitable timber could be 
obtained near the proposed site. A slight delay was occasioned in the 
work by the sudden withdrawal of the naval forces, which delay was how¬ 
ever soon remedied. The block-house was finished in towm and in two 
days time conveyed up the river—erected and roofed. Since then a stock¬ 
ade ninety-eight feet long and fifty-eight wide, with a bastion, has been 
erected. In the prosecution of so much work it has been necessary to 
call upon the men to run saw-mills, to act as engineers, firemen, raftsmen, 
log-cutters and mechanics, in addition to their duties as soldiers, and there 
has been no refusals. 

Detailed accounts of scouts, however laborious and praiseworthy, where 
no brilliant results have followed have not been made, as it has not been 
deemed necessary to trouble the Commander In-Chief with them. Nor 
has the account of the progress of the different block-houses that have been 
built, been forwarded for the snme reason ; and it was also supposed that 
Incut. Col. Crosbie, Aid-de-camp to the Commander-in-chief, would report 


355 


all that would be desirable to be known, on his return from his visit of 
inspection. 

To make the Fort on the Dumamish river easily defensible, a great 
deal of work must be done, and it will be resumed on the return of the 
party under Mr. Denny. 

I have further to report that immediately on the return of the party 
from the Lake, deeming the observations of it important while these par¬ 
ties were engaged in the country south and east of it, I ordered 1st Ser¬ 
geant Henning to take a party of eight men and proceed through the 
woods to the Union Lake portage, distant sixteen miles, and watch the 
Lake and portage for parties of Indians passing near him. In so doing 
he was compelled to take a portion of the men who had just returned 
from a severe scout, as most of those remaining were unfit for marching 
duty. 

The usual ration of twelve ounces of pork, which from the abundance 
of fish in Seattle, was sufficient while the company was stationed there, 
did not subsist the men for the first three weeks while stationed at this 
post. I therefore ordered an issue of a ration of fourteen ounces of pork 
for the past week, which has proved amply sufficient. This issue will not 
be continued unless approved. An issue of potatoes will be beneficial to 
the health of the men, and Lieut. Matthias could probably obtain them 
for that purpose if authorized so to do. 

Mr. Yesier has not yet reported as to the guilt of the Indians brought 
in by him, but he has been directed to make diligent inquiry on that head. 
My attention has been called by the last order to the fact that an express 
boat calls at Seattle every week. This post is distant from Seattle and 
the communication is ever uncertain, as there are no horses at this post 
nor Indians for canoe expresses. The want of horses and canoes for pub¬ 
lic service is much felt. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

EDWARD LANDER. 


(Signed,) 


356 


[No. 292.] 


Office Adj’t General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, April 15th, 1856. 


Lient. Col. Lander, 

Com’g. Post on Duwamish River : 

Sir : — I have received information from Steilacoom that Capt. Dent, 
with two companies, w ill make an expedition shortly from Dent’s Post, to 
the shores of Lake Washington, and will co-operate with boats to be sent 
from the Bay of Seattle, by the men-of-war lying in that harbor. 

I send you this information for your guidance in the hope yon can 
concert with Mr. Yesler and Capt. Dent, such measures as will disinfest 
the country adjacent to Seattle of the bands which are in that vicinity, and 
especially capture Nelson and the murderers of the families upon the Du¬ 
wamish. 

Very respectfully, &c., 

JAMES TITON, 

Adjutant General W. T. Volunteers. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 298.] 

Fort on Duwamish, April 28, 1856. 

James Tilton, 

Adjutant General W. T. V.: 

Sir : — Under date of 24th of April, a report was made of the opera¬ 
tions of my- command to that date, and I now have to report that Lieut. 
Denny with hie party returned on yesterday to this post from the scout to 
the meridian prairies. 

Lieut, i ■ a * crossed Black river on the morning of the 25th, after 
awaiting a day and a half for canoes. Finding the raft he constructed 
could not be used in the current, Lieut. Nugcn, commanding detachment 
of regular forces, kindly offered to Denny the use of his canoe to cross the 



357 


■river with ; but the opportune arrival of Lieut. Neely with the canoes of 
his party, prevented the necessity of taking advantage of the courtesy of 
Lieut. Nugen. 

Immediately after crossing, he followed the Territorial road as blazed 
through the low ground near the river, and upon getting upon the bluff 
took a course by compass south 24° east, expecting this to bring them to 
the prairies in a march of ten miles. About three miles from the river an 
old Indian trail was crossed, which from its general direction appeared to 
lead from White river to Cedar creek ; but not to have been used lately 
to any extent if at all. The country after leaving the bluff was found to 
be good, and the woods generally easy to march through ; so that there 
was but little delay occasioned on the march. 

Lieut. Denny went as he supposed from twelve to fifteen miles in the 
direction he had taken before he left, and could find no signs of the prai¬ 
ries, as the distance he had come was more than sufficient to have found 
them if the direction taken from the bluff had been correct. He was 
compelled to conclude that he had taken a wrong direction. As he had 
but one day’s provisions left, and a two day’s march before him on his re¬ 
turn, he very properly decided to proceed no farther. 

On his return he found encamped on Black river Lieut. Nugen and 
his command, who had arrived some two days previously. Mr. Denny’s 
want of success in finding the prairies, is to be attributed to the delay in 
crossing Black river, and the wrong direction taken from the bluffs, which 
was in pursuance of my instruction. No time was left to explore the 
country on either side of the line followed, and all was done that it was 
possible to be done to effect the object desired. It is to be regretted 
that the prairies were not reached, as Capt. Dent would have been met 
there. 

The party sent to the portage under 1st Sergeant Henning, returned 
to the post this afternoon after four days absence. The party marched 
upon the Seattle trail for some four miles and then struck off through the 
woods skirting the lake to the portage. No Indian signs were discovered 
on the roads. At the portage on the Duwamish, four canoes were found. 
In Union Lake none were discovered. During the stay at the portage 
sentinels were posted to command both the lakes, and one-half of the par¬ 
ty kept watching on the trail day and night. No fires were seen on the 
shore, or canoes on either lake. On his return down the lake, the western 
shore of the lake and island were carefully examined, and a party under 
Sergeant Webbins landed at Clark’s prairie and went through the woods 
to this post. The rest of the party and the 1st Sergeant continued down 
the lake to Black river, and met at Tobins’ mill, Capt. Dent, with eighty- 
five men, returning to Fort Dent. It was stated to the Sergeant that 


358 


Capt. Dent had found twenty families high up Cedar creek—had killed 
two Indians and drove the remainder before him. One man of Capt. 
Dent’s command was badly wounded. 

Sergeant Henning was just recovering from a severe attack of sick¬ 
ness, and volunteered for the duty from which he had just returned, and 
he has always shown himself a zealous and efficient officer, especially in 
command of scouting parties. Second Sergeant Ross is now absent 
with a party of twelve men on the way to the portage to occupy the 
position held by Sergeant Henning. It is thought that the Indians re¬ 
maining on the lakes will seek the opportunity of hiding in the country 
north of Lake Union and Trial lakes. Some slight fears are entertained 
by me, though not by Mr. Yesler, that some of the Indians lately gone to 
the reservation may return ; should they attempt to do so, they would be 
intercepted by this party. 

Mr. Denny has been ordered to move with a party of twenty men to 
Squaw Lake prairies, to be accompanied by Mr. Yesler and two friendly 
Indians, as soon as Mr. Yesler reports his arrangements made. 

The information from head quarters as to Capt. Dent’s movements, 
which reached me to day, had been anticipated as far as my force allowed, 
and two parties were operating—one on the Lake, and one on the south 
and east of it; and although no armed boats were on the lake, still their 
place was supplied w r ith two canoes. Without any positive information, 
it seems to me Capt. Dent found his Indians some fourteen miles up Cedar 
creek. 

Mr. Yesler had informed me that old “Dare,” the Indian who brought 
to Seattle the three children after the massacre at White river, was up 
Cedar creek, and it was suggested to Mr. Denny if his provisions held out, 
to come down Cedar creek and try to seize him alive. It is probable 
there were other families with him. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

(Signed,) EDWARD LANDER, 

Com’g. Post at Seattle. 


359 


[No. 294.] 

Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., > 
Olympia, May 4th, 1856. y 

Lieut. Col. Lander, 

Com’g. Co. “A,” 2d Reg’t. W. T. Volunteers: 

Sir :—Your letter dated 28th April and 2d May, is received. 

The Commander-in-chief desires me to express to yourself and Com¬ 
pany “ A,” his high sense of your late valuable and arduous scouting 
service. 

With regard to that part of your letter of the 2d May, in which you 
state that citizens of Seattle desire that town to be garrisoned by a por¬ 
tion of Company “A,” I am instructed to reply: 

That in the opinion of the Commander-in-chief, the naval force in the 
harbor, together with your company on the Duwamisli, will afford sufficient 
protection, and Company “A” will be better and more usefully employed 
in garrisoning the post on the Duwamish, and scouting, than it would be 
at Seattle. 

Therefore you will communicate with the naval commander in the 
Bay, and endeavor to prevail upon that officer to keep up the garrison 
ashore. 

Assure the naval officer that in any means he may adopt to suppress 
the infamous traffiic with his men ashore, he will be sustained by the Ex¬ 
ecutive of this Territory, and the power of the Government will be exer¬ 
cised to relieve him from auy penalty he may incur from any civil process 
in the matter. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) JAMES TILTON, 

Adj’t. Gen. W. T. Volunteers. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 295..] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., 
Olymfia, June 9th, 1856. 


Lieut. Denny, 

Com’g. Co. “A,” 2d Reg’t. W. T. Volunteers: 

Sir :—As soon as practicable after receiving these orders, you will 



300 


detail an officer and 8 men to hold the block-house above Seattle, and 
march with your company to Fort Hays, thence to assist in cutting a road 
to pass certain oxen over from Fort Hays to the Falls of the Snoqualmie. 

Report to this office the probable time of your departure, and make 
a scout upon your route. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Ad ft GenH W. T. V. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-chief, W. T. Y. 


[No. 296.] 


Fort Lander, W, T., June 13, 1856. 


James Tilton, Esq., 

Adjutant General Washington Territory : 

Sir :— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch 
of the 9th inst., and in answer would say, that I am utterly at a loss to 
know how I can comply with the orders therein contained, to the letter. 
If I attempt to make the trip to Fort Hays a scout, I am under the nec¬ 
essity of packing every article requisite, without the aid of animals through 
an unbroken forest, and under such circumstances it would be impossible 
for me to tell at what time I could reach the point designated ; also the 
future well being of the citizens, if not their very existence, demands the 
presence of a greater force than your order designates, or than I could 
possibly leave here. There are now a few farmers endeavoring to raise 
produce for the future subsistence of the families in King county, and who 
are relying upon the presence of my command while so doing as a safe¬ 
guard, but if they are deprived of this, they must inevitably abandon all 
hope of success, as they will deem it unsafe to continue to work their farms 
if I abandon the occupation of the lakes by my scouts, not even mention¬ 
ing their fears of hostilities from the Indians on the opposite side of the 
Sound. 

I earnestly desire to execute all orders promptly and efficiently, and 
I am sorry to be compelled to say that by so doing, in this instance, I 



361 


shall prostrate the interests and put in jeopardy the lives of the citizens of 
this section of the country. 

J have the honor to be, 

Your most obedient servant, 

(Signed,) A. A. DENNY, 

1st Lt. Com’g. Co. A, W. T. Volunteers. 


[ No. 297. ] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, June 15th, 1855. 


Lieut. Denny, 

Commanding Co. A, Fort Lander : 

Sir: —Your letter of the 13th June, respecting your inability to 
comply with the orders sent to you, dated June 9, is received. 

In answer, I state your reasons for being unable to make the march, 
are considered satisfactory. You will, therefore, make requisition upon 
the special agent for Indians and canoes, and come by water to Steila- 
coom, thence march out nine miles to Camp Montgomery, where you will 
receive supplies for your command. 

The representation of Capt. Lander, that forty men could be spared, 
“ the fact of parties of from three to five having traveled in safety the 
route from the falls of the Snoqualmie to Porter’s prairie, and the reports 
of Mr. Yessler, that but six or eight Indians are still out east of Seattle,” 
are sufficient to warrant the leaving of the town of Seattle to the protec¬ 
tion of the naval forces, and the few settlers to be guarded by a detach¬ 
ment of Company A, and the regulars at Fort Thomas. Upon your rep¬ 
resentation, this detachment may be increased to twenty men, and the re¬ 
mainder of your company, commanded by yonrself or Lieut. Neely, will 
move as soon as possible, and proceed by canoes, or any other rapid mode 
of communication, to join the Pioneers, now nearly ready at Montgom¬ 
ery’s. 

It will probably occupy fifteen days to cut the road out—there being 
employed a strong working party from each end. The road is absolutely 
essential to the military operations contemplated, and is a part of the 
46 



362 


plan by which the forces now en route across the Yakima under Colonel 
Shaw, are to be supported or relieved. 

The success of the plan depends upon the prompt compliance of all 
forces included in the combination, and it is hoped that the next report 
from you will represent at least twenty men of Company A, at Mont¬ 
gomery’s, where tools, transportation and supplies for you are already 
concentrated. 

Truly and respectfully yours, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adj’t Gen. W. T. V. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 298.] 

Fort Lander, W. T., June 19th, 1856, 

James Tilton,. Esq., 

Adj’t Gen. W. T. Y., Olympia : 

Sir :—Your despacth of June 16th is received, and I have, in reply, 
to say that I did, at the time I last wrote, and do yet deem it unsafe to 
withdraw the forces from this post; not on account of any considerable 
number of Indian^ now supposed to be in the country east of Seattle, but 
from the fact that- the Indians who laid waste this section of the country 
are so situated that they can, in one night’s time, reach and occupy their 
old hiding, places in, and east of the hikes. I have, moreover, good rea¬ 
son to believe, that it is only owing to the presence of this command, and 
the close watch I have thus far been enabled to keep of all the trails, that 
has prevented this. 

I had supposed you were well aware of the fact, there were not to 
exceed fifteen men of the naval forces now garrisoning the town of Se¬ 
attle, and that it was their settled policy, under no circumstances, to send 
a force into the interior. You must also be aware of the fact that, owing 



363 


to the withdrawal of nearly the whole of Captain Dent’s command from 
Fort Thbmas, upon White river, their force is only sufficient for post duty. 
The same, too, would prove true in respect to the proposed detachment 
of Company A. 

I am, to say the least, extremely surprised at the opinion represen- 
£ed as expressed by Judge Lauder. During the period of his command 
it was often publicly stated by him that this company was expressly or¬ 
ganize.] (by private understanding with the Governor and Commander-in- 
Chief) for the protection of this immediate neighborhood; and that, for 
this purpose, as well for guarding the different avenues leading from the 
Sound to the interior, and thus preventing the transit of Indians to and 
from the reserves, its presence here was absolutely indispensable. 

I have to regret that, if under these circumstances, you deem it 
both safe and just to this section, to withdraw the forces from the post, 
you could not leave me the privilege of taking the shortest and most 
practicable route to the work you require to be done. This, a glance at 
the topography of the country, would at once indicate to be by water to 
Camp Thomas, thence by a march of a few miles to Fort Hays. 

I trust that what I have said iu this letter, will not be imputed to 
any improper motive, as I but express the views and feelings of the mass 
of our citizens—those, too, who have suffered perhaps more than any in 
the Territory from the ravages of the Indians. They are of course, nat¬ 
urally unwilling to be exposed to fresh outrages from the same or other 
savages, by the removal of the only force upon which they can rely for 
active operations outside of the town of Seattle. 

The policy of makiug* requisition upon the Indian department here 
for the means of transportation would certainly be injudicious, as the In¬ 
dians would thus be notified of the fact that our forces were about to be 
withdrawn. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

A. A. DENNY, 

1st. Lieut. Com’g Co. A. 


(Signed,) 


364 


[No. 299.] 


Office Adj’t General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, June 24th, 1856. 


Lieut. Denny, 

Commanding Co. A: 

Sir :—You are hereby ordered to turn over the command of Co. A 
to the officer of that company next in rank. 

The reason of this order will be found in your declining to obey the 
former orders sent you to send a detachment of Company A to Fort 
Hays, afterwards to Camp Montgomery, and thereby causing a derange¬ 
ment of the plans formed, and combinations made by the Commander-in- 
Chief relative to the concentration of a party destined to open a commu¬ 
nication essential to certain military movements, from Fort Hays to the 
Snoqualmie pass. 

You are hereby relieved from duty in the volunteer service until fur¬ 
ther orders. 

Respectfully, 

Your most obedient servant, 

JAMES TILTON, 
Adjutant General W. T. Y. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 300.] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, June 24th, 1856. 


Lieut. D. A. Neely, 

2d Lieut. Co. A, 2d Regt. W. T. Y. : 

Sir :—You will assume command of Company A, vice 1st Lieut. 
Denny, relieved from duty, and as soon as possible, detail twenty men 
with orders to report for duty at Montgomery’s, there to meet a party of 
Pioneers and other troops, who are concentrated there awaiting the arri¬ 
val of the detachment from Co. A, to commence cutting out a military 



365 


road from Fort Hays to connect with the road lately cut out by the eom- 
man o ajor "V an Bokkelen from Fort Alden, at the Snoqualmie falls 
to the crossing of Cedar creek. 

Supplies, tools, pack animals and everything requisite,’are awaiting 
the arrival of the detachmentfof men from Company A, at Montgom- 
ery ? s. 


The former orders to proceed to Fort Hays are'rescinded, f as'the reg- 
ulars are now in possession of that post, and the volunteer forces have no 
supplies there. 

Haley will furnish transportation if you come by water. 


Yours, respectfully, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adjutant General W. T. V. 
By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 301.] 

The following Letter andSResolutions, mailed at Seattle, on the 22d 
day of July 1856, were received at the Executive Office at 11J a. m., 
on the 23d day of July : 


Fort Lander, 28th June, 1856. 


His Excellency, I. I. Stevens, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief: 

Sir :—With this enclosed, you find a set of resolutions to which are 
appended the signatures of this entire company—the origin and intention 
of which are as follows : 

On 9th June, the Adjutant General issued orders to Lieut. Denny, 
of Company A, to detail eight men to hold the block house above Seattle, 
and to march his company to Fort Hays, there to perform certain duties. 



366 


Lieut. Denny, for reasons given in his note of the 13th June, awaited 
further instructions. The Adjutant General, in his order bearing date 
16th June, says : “ Your reasons are satisfactory.” “ You will, therefore, 
proceed to, etc.,”—giving orders which at once show a lamentable, not to 
say criminal degree of ignorance with regard to the country and its vari¬ 
ous avenues of communication over which he was moving men and mate¬ 
rial of war every day. Lieut. Denny, seeing that he was certainly in the 
dark, asked leave to take the most direct and easiest route to the point 
designated as the rendezvous; whereupon, the Adjutant General issued 
order bearing date of 24th June, in which he says “You will turn over 
the command of Company A to Lieut. Neely, and await further orders,” 
which order he obeyed, much to the dissatisfaction of the company. The 
order was read to the company on parade, and the command resigned to 
the officer designated Immediately after which, the company held a 
meeting, and adopted the enclosed resolutions. In the proceedings had 
in this matter, we have intended to do nothing more nor less than they 
show on their face. To give a full, free and decided expression of our 
opinion and feelings on the subject. 

With sentiments of due respect, 

COMPANY “A.” 

W. T. Volunteers. 

The undersigned members of Co. A, Washington Territory volun¬ 
teers, do, by the following'.resolutions, express their undivided sentiment 
with regard to the matter herein alluded to : 

Resolved , That we individually, and as a company, do fully endorse 
and approve of the course pursued by Lieut. Denny, of Company A, in 
his recent correspondence with the Adjutant General in regard to certain 
orders by him issued. 

Resolved, That we know Lieut. Denny to be an able and efficient 
officer, and that we have full confidence in him as a commander. 

Resolved, That we do not approve of the course of the Commander- 
in-chief in suspending Lieut. Denny from his command. But on the con¬ 
trary, consider it an act of injustice, and an insult to the company, wholly 
unjustifiable and uncalled for. 

Resolved, That, in justice to Lieut. Denny and to this company, the 
Commandcr-in-Chief should re-instate Lieut. Denny in his command im¬ 
mediately. 

Fort Lander, June 28th, 1856. 

D. H. Neely, 2d Lieutenant. 

H. A. Smith, Surgeon. 


307 


John Henning, 1st Sergeant. 
C. D. Biven, 2d “ 

J. Ross, 3d “ 

Jacob Wibbins, 4tb “ 
James Fieldin, 1st Corporal. 
Walter Graham, 2d “ 
David Manner, 3d “ 

Asa Fowler, 4th “ 


Privates : 

John Phillips, Eli B. Maple, William Woodbridge, Solomon Brunn, 
Charles Miller, James Broad, Henry Williams, B. W. Johns, J. John 
Moss, Ira B. Burlingame, James Morrison, John Haney, C. C. Thomp¬ 
son, A. Hargrave, Robt. Hicks, Alonzo Russell, Samuel Becktelhei- 
mer, Joseph Lake, Peter Lauderville, David Stanley, Robert H. Beatty, 
Henry Van Assett, B. L. Johns, W. H. Gilliam, W. W. Ward, William 
F. Johns, William H. Brown, E. A. Clarke, Lemuel J. Holgate, A. G. 
Terry, Geo. Bouker, W. P. Smith, S. A. Maple. 


[No. 302.J 

Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., } 
Olympia, July 21th, 1856. \ 

Lieut. Col. Fitzhugh, 

Aid, &c., to Commander-in-Chief: 

Sir :—Enclosed you have certain resolutions, dated Fort Lander, 
June 28th, 1856. 

You will show these resolutions to the company, and request the 
signers to either repudiate or modify them in such a manner as to relieve 
themselves from the position of disobedience to the orders which these 
resolutions condemn. 

You will represent to the company that the resolution disapproving 
of the course of the Commander-in-Chief, and considering it an “act of 
injustice, and wholly uncalled for,” places the company in an attitude of 



insubordination which will necessarily preclude the possibility of their be¬ 
ing honorably discharged from the service until they, by their own act, 
occupy different ground from that of justifying disobedience to orders. 

There is nothing objectionable or improper in Company A requesting 
the re-instatement of Lieut. Denny, and a request to that effect would 
be properly considered, but by endorsing and sustaining that officer in his 
refusal to obey orders, they participate in a state of indiscipline and in¬ 
subordination which is destructive to efficiency, and injurious to the repu¬ 
tation of the volunteer service of W. T, 

In the hope that the intelligent and gallant men of Company A will 
see the matter in the true light, and by their act in rescinding those un- 
military aud insubordinate resolutions, will place them upon the same foot¬ 
ing as the rest of the regiment, .and so enable the Commander-in-Chief to 
report as efficient and useful the whole body of troops raised from the 
citizen soldiery of Washington Territory, 

I have the honor to be, 

Very respectfully, &c., 

J. TILTON, 

Adjutant General W. T. V. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chicf. 

N. B.—Of the paper signed “ Company A, ” which accompanied 
the resolutions, I return it without comment: it being anonymous. 


[No. 303.] 

Seattle, W. T., July 29th, 1856. 

His Excellency I. I. Stevens, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief W. T. V., Olympia : 

Sir :—In pursuance of your orders, I arrived at this place yesterday 
evening, and proceeded to disband Company A under the instructions con¬ 
tained in said orders. I sent to camp for Mr. Neely, Mr. Ward, and 
others of the most intelligent of the company, and explained very fully, 



369 


and at great length, the position the company now occupied, your views 
and wishes, and requested them to talk to the different members of Com¬ 
pany A, and request them to withdraw those offensive * * 

resolutions. 

I believe that I succeeded with some six or eight * * * 

but could do nothing with the balance. After a great deal of talking 
with a great number of them privately, I requested Mr. Neely to muster 
his company before Mr. Yessler’s door, where they were enlisted—made a 
full and lengthy explanation to them in a body—told them that they had 
placed themselves in a false position-—that they were the only company in 
the service that had disobeyed orders, Ac., &c. I said all that a man 
could say—told them of your kind feelings towards them—begged them 
to rescind those resolutions, and give the lie to Gen. Wool's statement, 
that “ the volunteers were inefficient and disobedient, &c. ” I made a 
strong appeal to them privately and in a body. Some seemed willing to 
be actuated by a proper motive; but when the command was given “all 
who wish to rescind those resolutions, step forw nl,” no one stepped from 
the ranks. It seems that a false sense of shame restrained them. 

I told them that my duty was at an end, and that I could do nothing 
more. They still stood in their ranks, and I had a discussion with a Mr. 
Smith ******* 
*********** 

****** 


Stil they persisted in their original intention, and I then knew that 
nothing more could be done, and dropped the subject. 

* * * * * * 

* * * * * * 

* * * * * * 

* * * * * * 

I have the honor to be, 

Very respectfully, &c., 

(Signed,) E. C. FITZHUGH, 

Aid, &c. 


41 


370 


[No. 304.] 


Bellingham Bay, W. T., 
J* October 8th, 1856. 


lov. Isaac I. Stevens, 

Commander-in-Chief Volunteer Forces: 

Sir :—A short time since, I received the muster roll of Company A, 
inattended by any communication. At that time, I was under the im- 
ression that it had been forwarded to me by Lieut. Neely, and wrote 
im a polite note—a copy of which I forwarded to Gen. Tilton, which he 
dll show. Enclosed, you will receive his reply to the same, an exact copy 
of which I send. 

You will perceive that he puts himself out of the way to renew his 
gratuitous insult to Gen. Tilton, by referring to the anonymous letter, 
signed “ Company A.” 

I have enclosed his letter to him without any remarks. The muster 
roll is here, subject to your orders. 

I remain, very respectfully, &c., 

(Signed,) E. C. FITZHUGH, 

Aid, &c. 



[No. 305.] 


Lieut. D. A. Neely, 

Seattle: 


Bellingham Bay, W. T.,) 
September 22, 1856. ) 


Sir :—The muster roll of Company A, formerly commanded by you, 
has been enclosed to me at this plane. As there is no communication with 
it of any kind or description, I am forced to conclude that it was sent to 
me by you , for the purpose of having it certified to, in order to make 
'he discharge of Company A legal, and of some effect. I have to say, 



371 


that my orders now are the same as they were when I read them to you 
at Seattle some time since. 

Those of your company, who have taken their names from those fa¬ 
mous resolutions, addressed to the Commander-m-Chief of the volunteer 
forces are entitled to an honorable discharge, and it will give me pleasure 
to certify to such fact. Those who have not done so, are not entitled to 
such discharge, and I can’t give it. I hope, however, upon mature con¬ 
sideration, you all have determined to rescind those resolutions, and a line 
from you to that effect, will accomplish the purpose at once. I will then 
immediately certify your muster roll and send it to head quarters, to be 
put on file. Without this is done, I am powerless to do what I presume 
you wish to be doue. Be so good as to write me by return mail, and I 
will then either enclose the muster roll to you or Gen. Tilton. 

Truly and respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

(Signed,J E. C. FITZHUGH, 

Aid, &c. 


[ No. 306. ] 


Fort Lander, W. T., ) 

October 1st, 1856. ) 


Col. Fitzhugh, 

2d Reg’t W. T. V.: 

Sir :_Your letter of Sept, the 22d, came to hand. You say you 

have obtained a muster roll of Company A, and you appear to be at a 
loss as there was no communication from me with it. It was not sent to 
you by me, and it might be an imposition on you or Company A, and 
you can make yourself easy by sending it as near its proper owner as pos¬ 
sible. 

I wish you to bear in mind the letter that was s^nt to General Til¬ 
ton, and signed Company A. 


D. A. NEELY, 
Commanding Co. A. 



372 


Note. _The letter referred to is the one which accompanied the res¬ 

olutions, and which, previous to this endorsement by Lieut. Neely, the 
commanding officer of Company A, had been considered anonymous. 

In virtue, however, of this endorsement, it became a part and parcel 
of the same transaction with the resolutions. 


[No. 301.] 

Highland, W. T., Nov. 13th, 1855. 

Acting-Governor C. H. Mason, 

Olympia, W. T.: 

Sir :—I have deemed it my duty to keep a diligent watch in this 
portion of the Territory. Yesterday a party of Scouts, under charge of 
2d Lieut. Roundtree, were out up the Newacum five or six miles east of 
my place and east of the meridian line, where they found a considerable 
Indian trail, along which from six to seven horses had traveled that morn¬ 
ing in the direction of the Klickatat country, or Upper Cowlitz, (none of 
our Indians had passed that w*ay.) Just before finding said trail Lieut. 
Roundtree met a Klickatat Indian who said there was no trail in that di¬ 
rection, and seemed to be anxious that the party should proceed no fur¬ 
ther. 

I have, also, sent a party up the Cowlitz to the Klickatat prairie, to 
bring away two of my company who reside there, and also, to take obser¬ 
vation. I have also, stationed a party on the trail south of the Cowlitz 
river, leading from Klickatat to Lewis river pass. 

I shall keep parties out on these traits every day. I should have 
mentioned above, that the trail found by Lieut. Roundtree has been im¬ 
proved by Indians within the last three months by blazing and cutting 
logs and brush out of the v*ay, a thing which you are aware they seldom 
do, and this improved trail has not been known to any of us before. 

Herewith I send you the muster roll of my company, the “ Lewis 
County Rangers.” 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JOHN R. JACKSON, 
Captain. 



373 


[No. 308.] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, April 3d, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. Crosbie, 


Aid to the Governor and Commander-in-Chief : 


Sir :—You will proceed to Lewis county, and organize a company of 
volunteers, direct them to erect two or more block houses, and range the 
country in the vicinity of Lewis river pass, and elsewhere when required, 
after leaving sufficient garrisons at the block houses. 

The object of the ranging to be mainly for the due protection of 
such of the farmers as may propose remaining upon their claims, or are 
putting in a crop, and making scouts to the Klickatat prairie, and heads 
of the Cowlitz and Lewis rivers, &c., &c. The block house should be at 
the Cowlitz Landing, another at the forks of the Cowlitz. 

Confer with Capt. John R. Jackson relative to strengthening his 
house to answer as a block house. 

Report to this office as frequently as possible, and, if necessary, or¬ 
ganize two companies; one from the Cowlitz Farms, and the other to ren¬ 
dezvous either at the Landing or at Highland post-office. 

Examine into the condition of the Indians at Plomandau’s reserva¬ 
tion, and if they are found to obtain liquor from any source, take any 
measures you may choose to abate this most dangerous practice. 


Very respectfully, &c., 


JAMES TILTON, 

Adj’t Gen. W. T. Y. 


[ No. 309. ] 



Adj’t General James Tilton, 

Washington Territory Volunteers, Olympia : 

Sir : _Agreeably to instructions, I have this day organized and mus- 



374 


iered into the [service of the] Territory of Washington a company of 
volunteers in Lewis county. 

The company is at present 6? strong, and will most probably be in¬ 
creased to eighty. I forward herewith the names of the officers and pri¬ 
vates. 

I request that blank muster rolls be sent by the express. Much dis¬ 
satisfaction has existed in this county, both amongst the Canadian settlers 
and the Americans. That of the Canadians has been removed by bestow¬ 
ing upon the Lieutenants of the company under command of Captain 
Peers, their commissions, and informing them that it had been recognized, 
and the discharges of the men as proof of service, would be remitted at 
as early a day as practicable. 

I desire that they be sent me immediately. That of the Americans 
still exists, owing to the negligence of Capt. J. R. Jackson. All of the 
men attached to his company furnished, not only their horses and equip¬ 
ments, but even their own supplies, for which no allowance has been 
made. 

I have directed the late 1st Lieutenant Jackson Barton, to address 
you on the subject, so that a remedy may be applied. 

There should be an assistant quartermaster at this place. I recom¬ 
mend C. C. Pagett be appointed as such, with the rank and emoluments 
of a Captain of cavalry. 

I also recommend the appointment of Dr. TJ. G. Warbass as an as¬ 
sistant surgeon. It is absolutely necessary that there should be one at¬ 
tached to the company, as it is my intention to order the company imme¬ 
diately on the completion of the block houses to make a scout on the 
Klickatat prairie, and in the neighborhood of the Lewis river pass. 

I shall enclose the large house at this place heretofore used as a tav¬ 
ern, with pickets ten and twelve feet high, with bastions at diagonal cor¬ 
ners. It will serve as a depot for quartermaster’s stores, and also afford, 
in case of an emergency, protection for the families of the neighborhood. 

There is no necessity for a block house at the forks of the Cowlitz, 
inasmuch as the settlers are already building one at CaghilFs, four miles 
below. Where else it may be requisite to establish block houses, I have 
not as yet determined. 

I shall despatch Lt. Anderson, the First Lieut, of the Lewis county 
Rangers, with an order on the quartermaster at Yancouver for supplies, 
more particularly ammunition. 

There is a great scarcity of muskets and percussion caps. I brought 
•over a small package, but on counting, there was but 168. 

It would be well to send by the express 2,500. 


375 

On Monday, I shall endeavor to make an arrangement for improving 
and bridging the Cowlitz trail. 

I request that the commissions for the officers of the company and 
also those of assistant quartermaster and surgeon,, be forwarded immedi¬ 
ately. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

HENRY R. CROSBIE, 

Lt. Col. and Aid-de-Camp. 


L No. 310.} 


v 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, April 5th, 1856. 


Lieut. Col. Crosbie, 

Aid-de-Camp, &c., Cowlitz Landing : 

Sir —Supplies and transportation for the company raised in Lewis 
county will be furnished by Col. Hurd, quartermaster and commissary. 
He has, under the Quartermaster and Commissary General, general charge 
of the purchasing and forwarding of supplies from the Cowlitz to Olym¬ 
pia, and it is indispensable that, in supplying the Lewis county company, 
there be no interferenae with his operations which will be accomplished 
by his being the quartermaster and commissary for that region. 

Capt. Hurd will see you, and receive from you the necessary instruc¬ 
tions as to the supplies required for the Lewis county company. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEYENS, 

Gov. and CommandeiMn-Chief, 

y :Vi 



376 


[ No. 311.] 


Cowlitz Landing, 
April 8, 1856. 


! 


Adj’t Gen. James Tilton, 

W. T. V., Olympia : 

Sir : — I have got out the timber for the pickets and bastions of the 
fort at this place. I trust, by active exertions, to complete it within a 
week. 

I shall build a ferry boat for the crossing of the Cowlitz here, and 
perhaps another at the forks, in which case, I shall strengthen Gardner’s 
house and garrison it with five men. 

I have deemed it better than opening and bridging the trail on this 
side. There is a traveled wagon road from the Landing to the forks. It 
would cost much less, be quicker done, and the route is the shorter. Ma¬ 
ny of the Cowlitz Indians, much to the dissatisfaction of the whites, have 
been in the habit of wandering off from the reservation, giving as an ex¬ 
cuse when met on the road, that they were out looking after their horses 
left at the Klickatat prairie. I therefore dispatched Lieut. Balisti, Lewis 
county Rangers, with five men, to make a scout in that direction, and to 
bring in the Indian horses. He will most probably return to-morrow. 

I would call the attention of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief 
to the fact of the inhabitants of Rainier forbidding the express canoes to 
visit that town with an Indian on board. As it is almost impossible to 
obtain whites to work the canoes, it is much to be apprehended that great 
inconvenience, perhaps difficulty, may be occasioned by inconsiderateness. 

Very little reliance is to be placed on the Cowlitz band. An ill-timed 
act of violence might be productive of the most serious consequences. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

henry r. crosbie, 

Lieut. Col., and Aid-de-Camp. 


L No. 312. ] 


Cowlitz Landing, 
June 2d, 1856. 


i 


Gov. I. I. Stevens, 

Com.-in-Chief W, T. Volunteers, Olympia: 

* * * * 


Sir 



377 


* Ten men and myself have gone on a scouting party 
to the Klickitat prairie. 

We are cutting a road from “ Pain Court,” a settlement east of J. 
R. Jackson’s, and will finish it in another week. 

There is a trail from Jackson’s connecting with it; also, a wagon 
road from Cowlitz river. It will be much shorter than the old trail. 

E. D. WARBASS, 

Captain Company L, W. T. Y. 


[No. 313.] 

Executive Office, Washington Territory, ) 
Olympia, May 21st., 1856. j 

Lieut. Col. S* S. Ford, 

Aid-de-Camp, &c.: 

Sir 

* * * * 

* * * . * 

^ ^ ^ ______ 

1. Divide Capt. Warbass’ company into an active and reserved list. 
The active list to consist of forty men to be selected from those not hav¬ 
ing families, to be constantly engaged in scouting the country. It will 
require one Lieutenant, two Sergeants, and two Corporals. The number 
may be got by calling for volunteers. 

2. The reserved list to be employed only in case of an emergency. 
They will assemble at the call of the Captain. They will have neither 
pay nor rations, except when on duty. The Captain will see that a care¬ 
ful record is kept of the details for duty of his company. He should 
state exactly how many days a member has been on duty—how many 
days he has been on his farm, or attending to his own business. 

3. The men on the reserved list will be provided with ammunition 
and caps, and should assemble for inspection once a week. The day of 
inspection they will be considered to be on duty. 

47 



378 


4. You will see personally to this matter, and report to me the 
names of the men on the active and on the reserved list, You will give 
orders to the commissary to furnish rations only to the men on duty. 

5. You will start Pierre Charles on a scout as soon as possible. 

6. The guns will be returned to Piomandeau. The locks will be 
taken off and placed in charge of Captain Warbass. 

T. The two prisoners had better be taken by you to the Chehalis, 
for a period. 

8. It is indispensable that cordial relations should exist between the 
citizens and the Indian and military authorities to prevent trouble, and 
perhaps an outbreak of the Indians. 

9. There should be defences at Jackson's, at the earliest practicable 
period. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 314.] 


Chehalis, W. T., 
May 26, 1856. 



Gov. Isaac I. Stevens, 

Commander-in-Chief Volunteer Forces: 

Sir :— 

* * * * * * 

* * ■ * * % % 

Capt. Pierre Charles started on a scout on Tuesday last, with ten In¬ 
dians, intending to go to where the trails diverge from the head waters 
of the Cowlitz towards the Columbia, Yakima and Nesqually rivers, but, 
on reaching the Klickatat prairie, they discovered one camp of Indians, 
seven in number. One of Capt. P.’s men approached, knew'them, and 
explained to them the object of the visit to that place. He replied that 
they had come down from the mountains to find their people and friends, 
and were glad to find them. They readily complied with the recpiest of 
Capt. P., and he brought them down. They were rather hard looking fel- 



lows, and had never seen white men before. Pierre Charles will start 
this morning* for the upper Cowlitz with a scouting party. 

I have also ordered Capt. Warbass immediately to open the trail to 
the Rlickatat prairie, and push forward the men and supplies, and con¬ 
struct a block house without delay, and also to send a sufficient number 
of men to speedily complete the defences at Jackson’s. 

Iti regard to Capt. Warbass’ company, I at once pursued the course 
indicated by you of dividing the Company into an active and reserved 
list, and it took admirably well. An active and reserved list is just 
what is wanted. Every man remained in the company, excepting three 
—two of these took a dishonorable discharge. I enclose herewith the 
two lists. 

I do not apprehend any more trouble hereafter. 1 endeavored to 
impress upon them the great necessity of being united at this time. 

Very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

(Signed,) S. S. FORD, 

Lieut. Col. and Aid-de-Camp. 


[No. 315.] 


Cow*litz Landing, 
June 30th, 1856. 


James Tilton, 

Adjutant General W. T. V.: 

Sir :— * * * I am 

now finishing the block house on the Klickitat prairie, and will, with a 
little leisure, send you some topographical ideas relative to the country 
east of the Cowlitz. 

I will be ready for any emergency in regard to the enemy, although 
we are ill provided with the requisites for a forced march in consequence 
of the quartermaster not furnishing sugar, coffee, and steel iron for shoes 
for the company horses. 

Respectfully yours, Ac., 

E. D. WARBASS, 

Captain Commanding Co. L, W. T. Y. 



380 


[No. 316.] 


Cowlitz Prairie, July 11th, 1856. 


Gov. I. i. Stevens, 

Commander-in-Chief : 

Sir : — On yesterday I returned from a scout up the Cowlitz river, 
with a party of friendly Indians from Mr. Plomondeau’s reservation-. 

I proceeded, on the first of this month to the Clickatat prairie, and 
thence to Turn Water, about twenty miles above the prairie, and was un¬ 
able to find any traces of hostile Indians. 

At Turn Water I found only one old man, an'old woman and a boy. 
All the Indians I had with me proved themselves very good men, and 
readily obeyed any commands I gave them. If you have any other busi¬ 
ness you wish me to attend to, hope you will write and inform what it is. 

I wish to know, tha t if I am sent out again, how I am to get arms 
.for my Indians, as I had some difficulty in getting arms for them on my 
last trip. Capt. Warbass only furnished me with,two, and was obliged 
to furnish the others myself. 

Yery respectfully, &c., 

PIERCHALL. 


[No. 311.] 

Executive Office, Territory Washington, ) 
Olympia, Oct. 14th, 1855. ) 

To the Commanding Officer, 

Clarke County Volunteers : 

Sir :—The company of volunteers of which you arc the commanding 
officer, are directed by the proclamation to report to the commanding offi¬ 
cer of the military post at Port Vancouver. 

The system of enrollment which has been adopted here, and which 
you are desired to adopt, is “for three months, or during the war. ” 

Arms, ammunition, accoutrements, supplies, &c., will, as far as pos¬ 
sible, be furnished by the commanding officer at the military post. 

Transportation and subsistence will be supplied by the TJ. S. Quar¬ 
termaster and Commissary. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

C. H. MASON, 
Acting-Governor, W. T. 



381 


[ No. 318. J 


Head Quarters, Co. A, Vancouver Volunteers, 
October 15th, 1855. 


To His Excellency, C. H. Mason, 

Acting-Governor W. T.: 

Sir: —A company of fifty men, citizens of Vancouver and its vicin¬ 
ity organized at this place on the evening of the 12th inst. The company 
elected their Captain, 1st and 2d Lieutenants, leaving the appointment 
of non-commissioned officers with the Captain. On the 13th, the com¬ 
pany was armed and equipped from the military store at Vancouver, and 
sixty rounds of ball cartridges issued to each man. 

The officers elected are— 

William Kelly, Captain. 

Patrick Akem, 1st Lieutenant. 

Geo. W. Martin, 2d Lieutenant. 

The arms received were fifty U. S. percussion muskets and bayonets, 
and 25 cavalry pistols. 

The company was organized for home defence, the citizens deeming 
the magazines, arms, and military stores, and the removal of the troops 
from this post, a sufficient inducement for Indians to make an attack on 
the place. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

WILLIAM KELLY, 

Capt. Vancouver Volunteers. 


[ No. 319. ] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, Oct. 20, 1855. 


Wm. Kelly, Esq., 

Vancouver, W. T.: 

g IR .—j received by yesterday’s mail of Oct, 11th, a letter enclosing 
a copy of a recommendation of certain gentlemen of A ancouver in your 



382 


favor, and of October 15th, informing me that a volunteer company had 
been formed at Vancouver for home defence. 

On the receipt of the requisition of Major Raines, proclamation was 
made for two companies of volunteers, one to be enrolled at Vancouver, 
and the other at Olympia, both being intended to take the field. The 
company here has been enrolled, and started to-day for Fort Steilacoom 
to co-operate with the regular troops moving from there. 

When information was received yesterday that Major Haller had re¬ 
turned to the Dalles, it was determined to make a call upon certain coun¬ 
ties, Clarke among the number, for more companies not to take the field, 
except upon emergency, but simply to organize for home defence. 

I am ready to accept the service tendered. The term of enlistment 
which has been adopted here, has been “ for three months, or during the 
war.” I will suggest that you raise, if possible, the number of your com¬ 
pany to the standard mentioned in the proclamation, have them regularly 
enrolled, and transmit a copy of the muster roll to this office. 

Whenever they are organized, and ready to co-operate with the 
troops of the United States, arms, ammunition, transportation, &c., will 
at once be furnished by the quartermaster at Fort Vancouver. 

Yours, respectfully, 

C. H. MASON, 
Acting-Governor, W. T. 


[ No. 320. ] 

Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., ) 
Olympia, Nov 10th, 1855. ) 

Capt. McCorkle, 

Com’g Company G, W. T. V.: 

Sir :—Herewith you will receive your commission and that of your 
officers. 

You will take the enclosed form of military oath, and cause the same 
to be administered to all the officers, non-commissioned officers, and pri¬ 
vates of your company, as none will be received in the service wffio do 
not comply with this legal requirement. This will be taken before any 
magistrate. 



383 


\oui duty will be to guard the country west of the Lewis river 
pass of the Cascade mountains, and intercept communication between the 
hostile Indians and those who may be friendly or wavering. 

Any suspected savages you will send bound to Fort" Vancouver, and 
endeavor to prevent auy acts which may have a tendency to cause any 
savages who may be friendly from joining the enemy. 

Report your movements, and ail information you may obtain to this 
office as frequently as possible. 

(Signed,) JAMES TILTON, 

Adj’t. Gen. W. T. Volunteers. 

By order of the Acting-Governor. 


[ No. 321. ] 

Monticello, W. T., Nov. 19th, 1855. 

Acting-Governor, C. H. Mason, 

Olympia : 

Sir :—Being a portion of our duty to inform you of our movements, 
I will state them as freely as possible. Immediately after organizing our 
company, a party of 5 went to the lake lying twenty-five miles to the 
north, and near the east fork of the Cowlitz, to reconnoitre that part of 
the country, more to quiet the fears of the people in that region than 
from any apprehension of hostilities. They found nothing. 

At the same time, a party of 15 proceeded to the Lewis river pass, 
in the Cascade mountains. On our arrival there, we sent out scouts to 
learn if possible, the position of the enemy. They saw two suspicious 
looking Indians in the Lewis river bottom, who made their escape into 
the bushes and crossed the river. After camping at the pass three days 
and learning that there were other passes more practicable and shorter, 
we marched back to Challacha prairie, where the Indians would be com¬ 
pelled to pass, it being only eight miles from the pass. We remained here 
about three weeks, actively scouting the whole time, but seeing no Indi¬ 

* * * * * * 


ans. 



384 


After receiving the commissions of the officers of this company, we 
returned immediately to this place, to make the proper arrangements to 
guard the pass with more certainty, as there was more danger apprehen¬ 
ded than at first, as Untal and his party had escaped from Vancouver. 
It is said his intention was to hold a council of war at Challacha prairie, 
and then make an assault upon the settlements. Our company will pro¬ 
ceed to the pass on Friday, with the intention of finding all the Indians 
in that vicinity if possible. We will have some twenty or twenty-five 
men. 


W. A. S. McCORKLE, 
Capt. Co. G> W. T. V. 


[ No. 322. } 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, Nov. 26th, 1855. 


Capt. McCorxle, 

Commanding Company G,: 

Sir :—Your letter, dated Nov. 23d, is received. 

In reply to your request for arms, I refer you to Brigadier General 
Gibbs at Fort Vancouver, who will supply you from the Territorial arms 
now at Fort Vancouver. 

With regard to provisions, you must obtain them from any source 
where you can obtain credit for the U. S. Government. Your receipt to 
the holders of provisions will entitle the owner to the amount of your re¬ 
ceipts, whenever the government pays, by appropriation, for the expenses 
of the war. 

^ ^ ^ 

I have the honor to be, 

Very respectfully, &c., 

J. TILTON, 

Adjutant General W. T. V. 

By order of the Acting-Governor. 



385 


[No. 323.] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. V.,1 
Olympia, Dec. 1st., 1855. j 

Capt. Wm. Brattan, 

Com’g. Lewis River Rangers : 

Sir :—Herewith you will receive a commission as Captain of the 
company you report as having been organized in the vicinity of Lewis 
river pass. 

*********** 

Your duty will be to watch the Lewis river pass, and, in junction 
with Capt. McCorkle, prevent all. intercourse between the hostile and 
friendly Indians. You can obtain arms and accoutrements from Briga¬ 
dier General Gibbs at Fort Vancouver, by receipting to him for the num¬ 
ber you make requisition for. 

Respectfully, 

Your most obedient servant, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adjutant General W. T. V. 

By order of the Acting-Governor. 


[No. 324.] 

Fort Vancouver, Nov. 10th, 1855. 

Maj. G. J. Raines, 

4th Inf. Com’g. Columbia River District : 

Sir :—In obedience to your order, the company of Washington 
Mounted Rifles, mustered into the service of the United States, un¬ 
der my command, have, in part, arrived at this place. Owing to want of 
transportation, a part of the command are still detained at the Cascades, 
but may 1 e expected here to-morrow or the day after. 

You speak in your order of mustering my command out of service. 
I beg to suggest that, on the 21th day of October last, in obedience to a 
proclamation and orders received from Chas. H. Mason, Acting-Governor 
of Washington Territory, upon a call made by yourself, I organized a 
49 





386 


company of mounted volunteers to serve three months, or until discharged, 
and on the same day the company were mustered into the service. 

It was understood at the time we were mustered in, that we were 
not to be discharged under three months. Upon no other terms could 
men have been induced to leave their homes and business at the present 
season of the year. 

I therefore beg to submit— 

First.—That my command can only be disbanded by an order from 
the authority under which they were enlisted. 

Second.—That having been mustered into service under the enlist¬ 
ment for three months from the 2tth day of October, 1855, we cannot 
legally be mustered out until the expiration of that period. 

I make these suggestions, not from auy desire to resist, or hesitation 
to obey any lawful order, but from a belief that justice to my command 
and a proper regard for the authority of the Acting-Governor of the 
Territory require me to do so. 

I also desire to make a requisition for five day’s provisions for my 
men, and forage for my animals, which I am informed by the commissary 
he has no authority to grant without an order from you. 

******** 


I have the honor to be, 

Your most obedient servant, 


WM. STRONG, 
Captain Mounted Rifles. 



mustered out of the service of the United States by the Major General 
Commanding Department of the Pacific, I presume on the ground that 



387 


the arrival of Brevet Major Fitzgerald’s company of dragoons render the 
services of the volunteers no longer necessary here. Possibly your servi- 
ces may be wanted by Governor Mason at Puget Sound. Please send 
this or a copy to him at once. We part with you with regret. 

Very respectfully, 

G. J. RAINS, 

Brig. Gen. W. T. and Major U. S. A. 


[ No. 326. ] 


Vancouver, December 14th, 1855. 


Hon. Chas. H. Mason, 

Acting Governor Washington Territory: 

Sir :— I have received a note from Brig. Gen. Rains, (a copy of 
which is enclosed,) by which you will see that there is a probability of our 
being mustered out of service. Our company are ready for service, and I 
am waiting your orders to perform any service you may wish. 

I wish to be advised of your method of obtaining sustenance, trans¬ 
portation, &c. 

Respectfully, 

WM. STRONG, 

Capt. Com’g. Washington Mounted Rifles. 


[No. 327.] 

Fort Vancouver, December 16th, 1855. 

Hon. Chas. H. Mason, 

Acting Governor Washington Territory: 
******** 

I sent you a few days since a copy of a correspondence between Maj. 




388 


Rains and myself, in reference to mustering out the company. Since the 
last news from the Dalles and Walla Walla, that the Oregon volunteers 
were actually fighting the Indians near Wailntpu, the order to muster us 
out has been countermanded, and we may again be sent to that country. 
If we had remained at the Dalles, we would have been at hand in time to 
have been of some service. 

* , * * * * * * 

* 

Respectfully, 

WM. STRONG, 

Capt. Go. A, Mounted Rifles, W. T. V. 


i 


[No. 328.] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., ) 
Olympia, January 4th, 1856. ) 


Capt. Wm. Strong, 

Com’g. Co. A, W. T. Volunteers : 

Sir :—Your letters of the 14th and 16th December, 1855, enclosing 
copies of orders from Brig. Gen. Rains, dated December 12th, and your 
answer, dated November 10th, to a previous order from Gen. Plains are 
received. 

In answer, I am directed by Acting Gov. Mason to reply : 

As the term of service of your company will expire on the 21th of 
the present month, you will retain the organization of Company “A,” till 
then, but grant discharges or furloughs to any of your men who may de¬ 
sire them, and on the 27th January, discharge the whole, and inform them 
that they will be called into service again whenever required. 

* * * * * * * * 

As you will have earlier communication with Gov. Stevens than this 
office can, you may perhaps receive from himself orders based npon his 
plans and modifying the above. 

In the hope that such may be the case, and that Comany “A” and 
its gallant officers and men may have more cqngenial employment in its 
next tour of duty, 

I am, sir, respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JAMES TILTON, 

Adjutant General W. T. Y. 

By order of the Acting Governor. 



389 


[No. 329.] 


Executive Office, Olympia, W. T., ] 
Olympia, March 30tli, 1856. ) 


1st Lieut. Eustis Huger, 

Acting Adjutant, &c.: 

Sir :—If the savages are ravaging Clarke county, the citizens should 
adopt the block-house system of Thurston county, wherever there is a 
neighborhood of say five men ; they and their families will be safe in a 
good block-house. 

Look to this matter and do all you can to prevent the citizens all 
coming in to Vancouver. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor Washington Territory. 


[No. 330.] 


Head Quarters, W. T. Volunteers, ) 
Olympia, April 2d, 1856. ) 


To M. R. Hathaway, 

Quartermaster and Commissary: 

Sir :— I am desired by Gov. Stevens to express his approbation of 
your action in mustering into service the company of volunteers raised in 
Clarke county, and also in furnishing supplies and transportation to the 
volunteers sent forward to the relief of the Cascades. 

The judgment, energy and zeal displayed by the Quartermaster de¬ 
partment at Vancouver in meeting promptly so unexpected an emergency, 
is appreciated as it deserves. 

The date of enrollment of Capt. Kelly’s company will be that of your 
acceptance of its services. 




390 


You will direct that officer to forward his muster roll to the Aujutant 
General. 

Yours, most respectfully, 

(Signed,) HENRY R. CROSBIE, 

Lieut. Col. and Aid-de-camp. 

; P. S. The commissions of Capt. Kelly and officers are herewith 
enclosed. 


[No. 331.] 


Vancouver, Thursday Morning, 
April 3d, 1856. 


His Excellency, I. I. Stevens, 

Governor Washington Territory : 

Sir :—* * * * * * * * 

* ******* 

Capt. Wm. Kelly of this place has raised a company of 82 men for 
home service ; but they are not willing to join the volunteer service unless 
they are promised to remain in this town, or a party of them to be sta¬ 
tioned on their claims. 

They are willing whenever there is anything for them to do in this 
neighborhood to give their services, and when it is finished, they be al¬ 
lowed to return to their occupations. 

Now, sir, a large number of these well deserving and patriotic citi¬ 
zens are living at their own houses, and on their own property, and are 
well armed. I cannot see why the U. S. should pay and support them 
for defending their own homes, when they say it is impossible for them to 
defend others, unless it is as one of the oldest citizens of this place said 
yesterday when urging upon me to muster the company—“ Some of the 
men are so poor they will starve if not fed by the Government.” 

** * * * * * ** 
********* 
******** 

Very truly and respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

EUSTIS HUGER. 


(Signed,) 



391 


[No. 332.] 

Vancouver, W. T., Thursday, April 3d, 1856. 

Jakes Tilton, Esq., 

Adj. General W. T. V., Olympia : 

Sir :—I wrote to the Governor this morning in regard to Capt. Kel¬ 
ly’s company. I do not see the necessity or justice of enrolling and bring¬ 
ing into the service a company who are not subject to his orders ; and a 
large majority of them say they cannot leave this place on any account as 
their property and families are here. 

It is a supposable case that men will defend their property if they 
have the chance, whether in the U. S, service or not; and why should the 
U. S. feed and pay them for it ? and taking all things in consideration, I 
have not received the company, but let them remain as they are, “ Inde- 


pendent.” 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* * 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* * 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* * 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* * 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* * 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 




Yours, 

very truly, 

EUSTIS 

HUGER, 



f No. 333. ] 


Office Adjutant General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, April 5th, 1856. 


Lieut, and Adj’t. Huger, 

Sir : —Your letter from Vancouver is received. 

The exigency of the case makes it necessary to accept men to the 
service, provided they will scout and defend the farmers putting in crops 
in Clarke county. 

You will communicate with Capt. Kelly and inform him that his 
company is accepted, under the condition that he defend the county, and 



392 


keep at least one-half of his men employed whilst the rest are putting in 
crops. 

With regard to any man who will not agree to obey orders, and who 
proposes to exercise his trade in the village, or has no claim to cultivate, 
or who will not scout or go upon expedition, he will not be mustered in. 
The intention of employment of the company of Capt. Kelly, is to defend 
the settlements of Clarke county, particularly in the vicinity of Fort 
Vancouver. 

The government is well aware that the country has been well drained 
of its available men, both by the patriotic enlistments in the volunteer 
service, and by employment with the regulars ; consequently nothing but 
the most stringent public necessity will force the government to order 
them out from the vicinity of Fort Vancouver, or unless the regular forces 
there are so augmented as to guarantee ample protection to their families. 

Direct Capt. Kelly to make out his muster and descriptive rolls, and 
not muster in any man whom he cannot rely upon to obey a reasonable 
order for scouting duty, or to march for a reasonable distance from home 
if his family are made secure. 

******** 

Very respectfully, 

JAMES TILTON, 

(Signed,) Adj’t. Gen. W. T. V. 

By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[ No. 334. ] 


Executive Office, Territory Washington, 
Olympia, April 6th, 1856. 


Capt. R. M. Hathaway, 

Commissary and Quartermaster, Vancouver, W. T.: 

Sir Instructions go by this express to Lieut, Huger in reference 
to mustering in the company raised in Clarke county. 

The duty of that company will be to protect the citizens of Clarke 
county, but the condition is indispensable that they be mustered into ser¬ 
vice subject to the orders of the executive. 



393 


Lieut. Huger has the necessary authority in the premises. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Comrnander-in-Chief. 


[No. 335.] 


Vancouver, W. T., April 6th, 1856. 


Capt. Wm. Kelly, 

Com’g. Co. Clarke County Rangers : 

Sir :—Your company is accepted into the volunteer service of the 
United States as Mounted Rangers, to date from first organization. 

You will establish block-houses at Washoogal and Lewis rivers, to 
enable settlers to reside on their claims, and keep scouting parties ranging 
through the settlements for the protection of the citizens of Clarke county. 

You will keep at least one-half of your men employed, whilst the rest 
are putting in crops. 

Make requsitions on the Quartermaster and Commissary at this post 
for such horses and supplies as you may need. 

Send a muster and description roll to the Adjutant General's office, 
and report your progress from time to time to head quarters. 

Respectfully, sir, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) EUSTIS HUGER, 

Adj’t. 2d Regiment W. T. Volunteers. 

By order of the Gov. and Commander-in-chief. 


•50 



394 


[No. 336;] 


Vancouver, W. T., April 14th, 1856, 


James Tilton, 

Adjutant General W. T. V.: 

Sir : — Encloesd I send you copies of correspondence between Capt, 
Kelly and Lieut. Biles, in regard to the erection of the block-houses at 
the Washoogal and Lewis rivers; also a copy of instructions to Capt. 
Kelly. 

As soon as the company at this place was organized, I called upon 
the commanding officer at Fort Vancouver, and in the name of the Gov¬ 
ernor of this Territory, offered to co-operate with the regular forces in 
protecting the citizens. This was done in writing. As yet my communi¬ 
cation has not been answered officially. 

Col. Morris told me he would answer it after he talked with Col. 
Wright. As soon as it is done copies will be sent to your office. 

******* 

* * The site selected for Fort Riggs is a very good one and 

I have approved of it. 

Respectfully yours, 

(Signed,) EUSTIS HUGER, 

Adj’t. 2d Reg’t. W. T. V. 


[No. 337.] 

Executive Office, Territory Washington, ) 
Olympia; March 30th, 1856. ) 

1st Lieut. Eustis Huger, 

Acting Adjutant, Ac. : 

SmIf the savages are ravaging Clarke county, the citizens should 
adopt the block-house system of Thurston county. Wherever there is a 
neighborhood of say five men, they and their families will bo safe in good 
block-houses. 




395 


Look to this matter and do everything you can to prevent the citi¬ 
zens all coming into Vancouver. 

Yery respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor Territory Washington. 


[No. 38?.] 


Vancouver, W. T., April 14th, 1856. 


James Tilton, 

Adjutant General, Olympia, W. T.: 

Sir :—Enclosed I send you copies of correspondence between Capt. 
Kelly and Lieut. Biles, in regard to the erection of the block-houses at 
the Washoogal and Lewis rivers ; also a copy of instructions to Capt. 
Kelly. 

As soon as the company at this place was organized, I called upon 
the commanding officer at Fort Vancover, and in the name of the Gov¬ 
ernor of this Territory, offered to co-operate with the regular forces in 
protecting the citizens. This was done in writing. As yet my communi¬ 
cation has not been answered officially. 

Col. Morris told me he -would answer it after he talked with Col. 
Wright. As soon as it is done copies will be sent to your office. 

***** *** 

* * The site selected for Fort Riggs is a very good one and 

I have approved of it. # 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) EUSTIS HUGER, 

Adjutant 2d Reg’t. 



396 


[No. 339.] 


Fort Riggs, Washoogal District, ] 
Clarke County, W. T., April 10th, 1856.) 


Capt. \Ym. Kelly, 

Corn’g. Clarke Co. Rangers, &c., Vancouver : 

Sir :—In pursuance of your orders dated April 9th, 1856, I proceed¬ 
ed to this place without delay and have complied with the instructions 
.herein. 

The detachment at this place, now consisting of eleven men, are en¬ 
gaged in scouting the neighborhood and examining the Indian trails or 
masses through Cape Horn mountain. * * * * 

* I lind that every member is more or less engaged in farm- 
ng, consequently, I deemed it justice to them that they should have the 
election of the point for the erection of the block-house, (ordered to be 
milt by the Commander-in-chief,) and requested a report of their action 
thereon. The following is their verbal report : 

We, the farmers of Washoogal District, unanimously agree : That 
the block-house ordered to be built by His Excellency I. I. Stevens, Gov. 
&c., for the protection of the farmers, &c., in said district, be built on the 
land claim of Col. Ruben Riggs, near the bank of the Columbia river, in 
Clarke county, and that the same be known as “Fort Riggs.” 

I have to say that the point selected fully merits my approbation.— 
Near this point the main road leading from Cascades to Vancouver comes 
down on the bottom or pasture land, and the many trails or passes strike 
this road within a mile of this poiut. It is generally conceded here that 
should the Indians contemplate an attack in the neighborhood, that this 
point would be the first place ; it is also the most convenient place for the 
farmers to concentrate in case of an attack, and can have their stock so 
concentrated that with a howitzer, could protect them from the Indians. 
* ******* 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

(Signed,) J. D. BILES, 

1st Lieut. Clarke Co. Rangers, W. T. V. 


397 


[No. 340.] 

Head Quarters, Clarke Co. Rangers, W. T. V., j 
Vancouver, April 10th, 1856. ) 

ORDERS NO. 5. 

1st. A detachment of Clarke Co. Rangers, consisting of members 
residing in the neighborhood of 4th Plain, is hereby detached for duty in 
that direction. 

2d. Mr. Richard Covington being duly elected a Sergeant of the 
detachment, will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

3d. Sergeant Covington will proceed with his command as soon as 
possible to the 4th Plain, and cause a site to be selected by the members 
of his command for the erection of a block-house, for the defence of the 
settlement in that vicinity. The site should be at a respectable distance 
from the woods or thickets, and at a point where water can be easily pro¬ 
cured, and which will afford the greatest security to the men while tend¬ 
ing their farms. 

4th. The person granting the site should be requested to give his 
consent in writing, that the settlers may hold the building as long as the 
safety of the settlements require it. 

5th. Until the house is built, a scouting party from the detachment, 
of one third of the men, will be sent out daily, to reconnoitre the country 
and Indian trails in the direction of the 5th Tlain, or in any other direc¬ 
tion that may be deemed necessary by Sergeant Covington ; and for the 
safety of the settlements, as well as that of the detachment, a guard will 
be kept up during the night. 

6th. All Indians found in, or passing through the settlements 
will be apprehended (except those on government express,) and sent in 
under an escort to these head quarters ; should any Indian attempt to es¬ 
cape, he will be fired on. 

tth. Should the enemy appear in force, or there be appearances of 
his being in your vicinity, you will immediately despatch one or more of 
your trustiest men that the necessary assistance may be afforded you as 
soon as possible. 

(Signed,) WM. KELLY, 

Capt. Clark Co. Rangers, 2d Reg’t. W. T. V. 

To Sergeant Richard Covington, 

Clark Co. Rangers, W. T. V v Vancouver, W. T. 


398 


[No. 841.] 


Head Quarters, Clarke Co. Rangers, ) 
Vancouver, April 14, 1856. ) 


Lieut. J. D. Biles, 

Clarke County Rangers, 2d Reg’t. W. T. V. : 

Sir :—You are directed to proceed as soon as convenient to the Lew¬ 
is River District, for the purpose of locating a block-house, (to be built by 
order of the Gov. and Commander-in-ehief.) 

You will consult the settlers in that vicinity as to the most suitable 
point for its erection ; one that would secure the most protection to the 
farming community of said district. 

You will also use your influence to have the settlers there join the 
company, on terms the same as Washoogal District detachment. 

You are authorized to secure as many men as you can get, on your 
way, for the volunteer service. 

You will report to head quarters, Vancouver, at the earliest period 
possible. 

(Signed,) WM. KELLY, 

Capt. Clarke Co. Rangers, 2d Reg’t. W. T. V. 


LNo. 342.] 

Head Quarters, Clarke Co. Rangers, ) 

2d Reg’t. W. T. V., Vancouver, April 14, 1856.) 

Eustis Huger, 

1st Lieut, and Adj’t. 2d Reg’t. W. T. V., Vancouver, W. T. : 
Sir :—Enclosed 1 send you a report of 1st Lieut. J. D. Biles, in re¬ 
lation to a detachment at Washoogal District, * * * 

and also copy of an order to him, &c., &c., * * * 

The present strength of the company is 1 Captain, 1st and 
2d Lieutenant, and 56 rank and file. 



399 


In Washoogal District I have a detachment of 12 men. 

On the 4th Plain, 25 « 

At Lackamas Plain, f « 

At Salmon Creek, 6 miles north of Vancouver, 6 “ 

At Vancouver, (officers and men,) 19 

Total, 59 


The men at Vancouver are standing guard every other night, as well 
as scouting in the neighborhood. To-day there is a report of some six 
armed Indians being below, about twelve miles from here. I send a par¬ 
ty after them this morning under Lieut. Aken. To-morrow, a party leave 
to scout twelve miles above Vancouver to a mountain near the Columbia,, 
where Indians are supposed to be concealed as spies. 

* * * * * * 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

WM. KELLY, 

Capt. Clarke Co. Rangers, 2d Reg’t. W. T. V. 


[No, 343.] 

Lewis River, Clarke County, T 
April, 1856. j 

Capt. Wm. Kelly, 

Clarke County Rangers, W. T. V. : 

Sir:— In pursuance to your orders of date April 14, 1856,1 pro¬ 
ceeded to this place, and to fulfil the duty assigned me, I procured the 
services of Messrs. Lewis and Tappan as guides, for the purpose of exam¬ 
ining the country in this district. To-day I selected a point for the loca¬ 
tion of the block-house. 

This is the'most centVal, and a point that will secure the most pro¬ 
tection to settlers, being a good pasture and range around it. 

The settlers with the exception of two or three, have left their claims 
and gone to St. Helens, 0. T., for safety. I would suggest that you send 
a detachment down to build the house, and scout on the mountain passes. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

(Signed,) J. D. BILES, 

1st Lieut. Clarke Co. Rangers, 2d Reg’t. W. T. V. 



400 


[No. 344.] 

Head Quarters, Clarke County Rangers, ) 
Vancouver, April 21st, 1856. ) 

ORDERS NO. 6. 

J. D. Biles, 

1st Lieut, and Acting Adj’t., 2d Reg’t. W. T. V. : 

A scouting party consisting of Capt. Kelly, 1st Lieut. Biles, 2d Lt. 
Aken and twenty men, will proceed to-morrow morning via Lewis river, 
to Cha-la-chie Plain. 

The party will take rations for five days, at the expiration of which 
period they will return to Vancouver. 

2d Corporal Dodd will proceed this morning to Lewis river, for the 
purpose of engaging the ferry, that the attendant may be aware of the 
party requiring his services. 

He will also take whatever rations may be required to Lewis river 
for the party, and will leave for St. Helens per steamer “Senorita.” 

By order. 

(Signed,) WM. KELLY, 

Capt. Clarke Co. Rangers, 2d Reg’t. W. T. V. 


[No. 345.] 

Head Quarters, Clarke Co. Rangers, | 
Vancouver, W. T., April 30, 1856. ) 

Major James Tilton, 

Adjutant General W. T. V.: 

Sir :—Herewith I enclose some of my orders and reports of Lieut. 
J. D. Biles, in relation to the defence of Clarke county. My company at 
present numbers seventy-four, officers and men, and sixty-four horses. 
They are distributed as follows : 

Fourteen detached at Washoogal district. The fort or block-house 
is built, and known as Fort Riggs, and a scouting party of one-third is 
sent out daily to reconnoitre the trails on the mountains of Cape Horn. 

Five men detached at Lackamas prairie, eight miles from here, who 
scout on the trails to that place. 



I 


401 

Fifteen men at 4th Plain, commanded by Sergeant Covington. They 
have built a fort with a block-house bastion, and with a small piece of 
ordnance could defy a very strong force. They scout on the trail leading 
from Cha-la-che prairie, which is the principal trail to Vancouver from 
the Indian country. 

Seven men at Salmon creek. They have built a stockade and scout 
on an old trail leading from the east fork of Lewis river. 

I have been to Che-la-che prairie with a party of twenty-three men ; 
it is about thirty miles from the Lewis river settlement. There was no in¬ 
dication of Indians being in that direction, though rumor had it that there 
were hiu before I went there. There was also some two hundred head of 
horses supposed to be there, but on arriving, I found only four two year 
old colts, and one lame horse that had been left there by a friendly Indian 
last fall. 

The Che-la-che prairie is an important point, and should have at least 
fifty men stationed there, as the Indians must pass that point to come into 
the settlements, and if they should by chance get into this country, a par¬ 
ty there could check their retreat. 

* * * * x * 

The people at Lewis river were nearly all away from their claims, 
and no men could be induced to volunteer into our company. 

To-morrow morning a detachment of fifteen men under Lieut. Biles, 
leaves for Lewis river to build a block-house at that place, which could 
not possibly be done before in cod sequence of the materia,! tha| composes 
my company. Nearly all are married men and farmers, and humanity de¬ 
manded that they should make their own women and children secure be¬ 
fore they could be called away. - 

Roping that my course may meet the approbation of his Excellency 
the Governor, as well as your own, 

I remain, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedien servant, 

(Signed,) WM. KELLY, 

Capt. Clarke Co. Rangers, 2d Regh, W. T V. 


402 


[No. 346.] 


Office Adj’t General, W. T. V., 
Olympia, May lfth, 1856. 


Capt. * Kelly, 

Sir :—A requisition is this day made upon the military store keeper 
for four howitzers to garrison your forts with ; also for two hundred rifles 
and accoutrements, with the necessary ammunition, &c. . 

Should this requsition be honored, you will receive the howitzers, 
plant them, and arm your men with the rifles, leaving the muskets in your 
forts. 

Raise your command to eighty effective men, ready and willing to 
march to the Walla Walla if the public service requires it, and besides 
those men detail say from 8 to 15 men to garrison the forts in Clarke 
county. 

Confer with Col. Hurd relative to your supplies, and keep your com¬ 
pany scouting during the absence from Clarke county of the large rein¬ 
forcements demanded by Col. Wright. 

Any responsibility you take, having for its view the good of the ser¬ 
vice, and warranted by the reasonable appearance of things, will be fully 
sustained by this department. 

The Commander-in-chief is fully determined upon the most active 
prosecution of the war, possible. 

Truly and respectfully, 

- Your most obedient, 

(Signed,) ■ JAMES TILTON, 

* Adjt. Gen. W. T. V. 

By order of the Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 341.] 

Head Quarters, Clarke Co. Rangers, ) 
Vancouver, May 19th, 1856. J 

James Tilton, 

Adjutant General W. T. V.: 

Sir :—I am directed by Capt. Kelly (who left this morning with a 
party of twelve men to examine the several Indian trails leading towards 



403 


the Cascade mountains,) to acknowledge the receipt of your communica¬ 
tion of May 17th, 1856. 

* * * * * * 

Capt. Kelly desires me to say that as regards the raising of a com¬ 
pany eighty strong, out of the present county and country, that would be 
ready and willing to march into the Walia Walia country, cannot be done. 
Kot a man except three or four would be willing to march out of Clarke 
county, for these reasons : 1st—That about one-half of our citizeiJRf 
this county have been drawn away ; and 2d—should this company receive 
orders to march out of the county, the women and children of the county 
would be exposed to the murderous acts of the hostile Indians. 

The express starts this moment. 

Truly and respectfully yours, 

(Signed,) J. D. BILES, 

1st Lieut. Clarke Co. Rangers, 2d Reg’t. W. T. V. 


. [No. 348.] 

Executive. Office, Territory Washington, ) 
Olympia, May 22d, 1856. ) 

Capt. Wm. Kelly, 

Clarke Co. Rangers, Vancouver, W. T. : 

Sir :—You are directed to keep a careful daily record of the men on 
duty and those not on duty of your company. - 

Men not on duty will not be furnished with rations, and instructions 
will go to the Commissary Department to that effect by this express. 
Truly and respectfully, 

(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 349.] 


Executive Office, Olympia, W. T.,) 
Olympia, May 29th, 1856. j 


Capt. Wm. Kelly, 

Clarke Co. Rangers: 

v Sir Your letter of the 25 th inst., reached me by express on the 
2tth inst. ' • 




404 


The order iii regard to keeping a daily record of the men on duty and 
not on duty, and to give rations only to the former, was not dictated from 
any want of confidence in yourself or your company, hut from the neces¬ 
sity which exists that the Territory should be able to show a fair record, 
and that no more troops were employed than the exigency absolutely de¬ 
manded. Every citizen is interested in the strictest economy being ob¬ 
served, and in the force being reduced to the smallest number compatible 
with safety, for if any want of caution can be shown, it may defeat alto¬ 
gether, appropriations by Congress. 

I cannot therefore rescind the order, but must direct a strict compli¬ 
ance with it. . 

Very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

(Signed,) . ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 


[No. 350.] 


Executive Office, Washington Territory, 
Olympia, July 7th, 1856. 


Capt. Wm. Kelly, 

W. T. Volunteers, Vancouver, W. T. : 

Sir :—You will report by return express the names of the twenty 
men of youi’ company, you have been authorized to retain in service. 

Should you. find it impossible to get twenty men, who will keep con¬ 
stantly on duty and obey all orders, the whole company will be disbanded, 
and the horses and company property turned over to Capt. Millard, the 
Quartermaster at Vancouver. 

Capt. Millard will, in this alternative, receive the necessary orders to 
muster you out of the service. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

Gov. and Commander-in-Chief, 



405 


[No. 851.] 


Head Quarters, Clarke County, Rangers, 
Vancouver, W. T., July 9th, 1856. 


! 


Governor :—I received your order of July, 1th inst., directing me 
to forward you the names of the men that I have been authorized to re¬ 
tain in the service, and directing me to disband if the requisite number of * 
men could not be retained for actual service; 

In reply, I would recommend that the company be disbanded, in con¬ 
sequence of the amount of farming required to be done during the next 
month, in haying and harvesting crops, by the members who are willing to 
serve, and who would require leave of absence for that purpose, and who 
would be under very great inconvenience if taken away from this neigh- 
hood. 

I would also recommend that myself, and another officer, or non¬ 
commissioned officer of the company, be retained until the 25th inst., that 
the property of Washington Territory in the company, at several points 
in the county may be collected, and the necessary reports and returns 
made. 

I have issued rations before the receipt of your order to-day, to the 
29th inst. 

I enclose you this correspondence to show that I have used every ex¬ 
ertion *to have the detachments comply with instructions. * * 

* * * * * 


(Signed,) 


Yery respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

WM. KELLY, 

Capt. Clarke Co. Rangers, 2d Reg’t. W. T. Y. 




406 


with your recommendation, your company will be mustered out of service, 
yourself and one of your officers being retained till the 25th inst., in order 
to prepare the necessary papers. 

You will show carefully on your muster rolls the period each man 
was on active duty. 

Capt. Millard, Quartermaster and Commissary, will act as mustering 
officer. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your most obedient, 

'(Signed,) ISAAC I. STEYENS. 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 




« 






4 


I 




4 


\ 


/ 










0 


I 




« 






> 


( 


0 


















\ 







1 





















» 





I 





0 



A, 


ADJUTANT GENERAL, report of, 


PAGE. 

25 


ALDEN, Capt., (ten. Tilton to, 
to General/Tilton, 

ARMS, amount of received, 
issued, 

“ on hand, 


113 

113 

57 

57 

58 



BATTALION, northern, operations of, 68, 72 

central, 69, 72 

southern, . - 69, 72 

BELLINGHAM BAY, defence of, 321 

BILES, Lieut. J. D., to Captain Kelly, ^96, 399 

Captain Kelly to, 398, 400 

to General Tilton, 402 

BLOCK HOUSES— 54, 56 

BRATTON, Captain, General Tilton to, * . 385 

BURNS, Dr. M. P., report of, 46 


C. 


CAMPAIGN, effect of, of General Rains and the Oregon volunteers, • 04, 65 

I 

CASEY, Col., to Gov. Stevens, as to general operations, 198 

calls for volunteers, 200 

orders Major Garnet to occupy Porter’s Prairie, 204 

orders Major Garnet to join Col. Wright, 206 

reason for not sending troops across Nachess Pass, 207 

as to Indians encamped at his post, 210, 213 

Statement as to Indian agent refusing to receive them, 213 


i 




II 


INDEX 


PAGE. 


CASEY, Col., declines to arrest Indian murderers, 213,216 

as to authorising Indians to leave the reservation, ^18 

views of, as to treatment of Indians, 218 

CLARKE COUNTY, company organized in, 81 

block houses built in, 81 

COMMISSION, to try Indians, 77, 78 

COMPANY A, resolutions of, 365 

COUNTRY; state of, 70, 71, 77, 79 

east of Cascades, v 133-139 

Indians in, 133 

plan of campaign for, 136-139 

COVINGTON, Sergeant, Captain Kelly to, 397 

COWLITZ, ferries established on, 78 

company raised at, ' 78 

Landing, wagon road tojVIonticello, 78 

CRAIG, Col., as to matters in the interior, 83 

advised by the Nez Perces not to return, 89 

Governor Stevens to, as to operations in the interior, 254 

Col. Shaw to, as to battle of Grand Ronde, 266 

v “ as to council with the Nez Perces, 267 

“ “ at Walla Walla, 269 

Governor Stevens to, “ “ 271 

Col. Shaw to, as to division among the chiefs, 272 

CROSBIE, Col. H. R., instructions to, 238 

ordered to Seattle, 350 

General Tilton to, „ 373 

report of to Gen. Tilton, 373-376 

Governor Stevens to, • 375 

to Capt. Hathaway, 389 

/ s v 

CURRY, Gov. Geo. L., Gov. Stevens to, as to co-operation, 97 

to Gov. Stevens as to purchase of supplies, 98 

“ “ as to operations at Cascades, 98 



DALLES, movement of troops from, 83 

DAVIS, Hon. Jefferson, declines to furnish atfais, &c., 61 

DELACY, Capt. W. W., report of upon wagon route, 248 

DENNISON, Col., operations at Cascades, 99 

DENNY, Lieut., Gen. Tilton to, 359 > 3G1 

to Gen. Tilton, as to moving from Seattle, 360, 362 

suspended froth command, 3G4 

DOUGLASS, Governor, letter of furnishing supplies, 101, 102 

Governor Mason to, 103 


INDEX. 


Ill 




PAGE. 

E. 


EATON, Captain, attack upon, . 183 

authorized to raise rangers', * 273 

orders to as to general scouting, 274 

“ “ to report to Captain Malony, ’ ‘ 277 

EBEY, Capt. 1. N., reports organization of company, and his views relative to 

lower part of Sound, 311 

to Tilton, reports “ Northern Rangers” organized, 312 

Tilton to, company accepted, guard against collision with friendly Indians, 314 
to Tliton, his command on Snohomish, Pat Ivanim at his camp, 315 

to Tilton, reports even chances of hostility or friendship, of the Snoqual- 

mie and Skawamisli tribes, 315 

Tilton to, expedition up Snoqualmie suspended, keep company at Port 

Townsend, ' 317 

Tilton to, ordered to garrison block house at Crescent harbor, 317 

Stevens to, no volunteers except for 6 months, ordered to disband co., 319 • 

“ “ requested to raise volunteer in Whatcom, Island, &c., 319 

“ “ importance of posts above Snoqualmie Falls, 322 

EMIGRANTS, order in reference to settlement of, east of Cascades, 59 

. rights of, as to settlement, 59, 60 

ENGINEERS, report of Captain of, 54 


F. 

FITZHUGH, Lieut. Col., reports failure to bring in Te-i-as and Owhi’s people, and 


the causes therefor, 339 

instructions to, as to Company A, . 367 

to Governor Stevens, 368, 370 

to Lieut. Neely, 370 

Lieut. Neely to, 371 

FORD, Captain, scout of, . ^ 

Col., Governor Stevens to, 377 

to Govereor Stevens, 378 


FORT STEILACOOM, Captain Sterrett requested to send men to, 
Tilton, force at, and design of, 

G. 

GANSEVOOET, Captain, letters to, 

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 1, 

“ “ No. 2, 

“ “ A, 

“ “ B, 

« No. 3, 

“ “ No. 4, 

“ “ supplement to No. 4, 

“ “ No. 5, 

“ “ No. 6, 

« “ No. 7, 


110 , 111 , 112 

33 

34 

36 

37 

38 
38 

40 

41 

47 

48 


« 


IV 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

GOFF, Captain, * 91 

ordered to Walla Walla, 243, 247 

instructions of, as to operations in the interior,. 252, 254 

report of, of battle of Burnt river, 263 

GOSNELL, Lieut., scout of, ^ 

GOVERNOR, message of, * 

GRAND RONDE, battle of, 42 

report of killed and wounded at, 4G 

H. • • V 

HALLER, Major G. 0., attack upon, , 1G0 

HATHAWAY, Capt. M. R., Col. Crosbie to, * 389 

Governor Stevens to, 392 

HAYS, Major G., • 69, 182, 185, 186, 187 

Captain Keyes to, 189 

orders to report at Fort Steilacoom, 274 

reports fight on White river, • * 276 

< letter from Gov. Mason to, 277 

“ “ “ fight on Green river, 278 

orders to march to Yelm, 281 

orders for movement upon Puyallup, 284 

“ “ for march to Muckleshoot, &c., 285 

reports Camp Connell proper place for depot, > 287 

suggestion as to depot at ConnelPs, approved, . 288 

reports fight of Connell’s prairie, 290 

to, expressing gratification as to his operations, 297 

reports completion of block house on White river, and movements of 

the enemy, 298 

ordered to open road from Fort Hays to South Prairie, and build block 

house there, 302' 

is advised of Capt. Mason’s fight near the “Pass,” and is ordered to 

move towards head of Nesqually, and open roads, Ac., 302 

HENNESS, Capt. B. S., orders to Scout, 280 

HEWITT, Capt. C. C., ordered to report to Capt. Malony, 344 

to Governor Mason, , 345 • 

Gen. Tilton to, \ 346 

HORSEMEN, advantage of, on Nachess river, 79 

organization of at Camp Montgomery, 80 

» 

HOWE, Captain S. D., advances up the Snoqualmie, 324 

report of, to General Tilton, 332 

HUGER, Lieut. E., ordered to inspect the route from Connell's to Snoqualmie 

• Pass, . • 309 

Governor Stevens to, 389, 394 

to Governor Stevens, 390 

to General Tilton, 391,394,395 

Gen. Tilton to, 391 


INDEX. 


V 


HUGER, Lieut. Col., to Captain Kelly, 

Captain Kelly to, 

§ 

I. 

INDIANS, hostile, east of Cascades, 

“ west “ 
head quarters of, 

Chehalis and Cowlitz, 

who look the lead in the war, 

general distrust of, 

friendly, number of on the Sound, 

defeated at White river and Connell’s prairie, 

brought in to Seattle, 

“ “ on Puyallup and Nesqually, 

hostile on John Day’s river to be struck, 

council with, , _ 

Governor Steven’s propositions to, 

Council of Col. Steptoe with, 
burn the grass of Col. S., 
attack Gov. Steven’s party, 
concerned in the attack, 

. hung by Col. Wright. 

J. 


PAGE. 

393 

398 


64, 83 
72, 73 
73 

73 

74 
74 
74 
77 
77 
77 
84 
88 
89 
89 

89, 90 

90, 91 
91 

166 


JACKSON, Captain J. IL, to Governor Mason, 

K. 

KAMIAKAN, urges Spokane^to join the war, 
in council with Governor Stevens, 
success of, in creating disaffection, 
to be dreaded. 

KELLY, Captain W., Governor Mason to. 
to Governor Mason, 

Lieut. Huger to, 

Lieut. Biles to, 
to Sergeant Covington, 
to Lieut. Biles, 
to Lieut. Huger, 
to General Tilton, 

General Tilton to, 

Governor Stevens to, ' • 

to Governor Stevens, 

KEYES, Captain, orders to Capt. Hays, 
as to list of Indian agents, 
as to guard at Fort Nesqually, 
reports the death of Lieut, Slaughter, 
as to his instructions, and the enrollment of volunteers, 
Governor Mason to, as to disbanding volunteers, 

“ “ “ as to Leschi at the reservation, 


372 


83 

89 

92 

159 

380, 381 
381 
393 
396, 399 

397 
398, 400 

398 
400 
402 

403, 404, 405 
405 


189 

190 

190 

191 
192, 196 

193 

194 


VI 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 


LANDER, Capt., no volunteers accepted, except for general defence, 

“ “ Gen. Tilton to, orders to employ Indians as war party for ex¬ 

pedition up Duwamisli, 

“ “ to, relative to “Active” cruising on the Sound, 

“ “ to Tilton, reports failure to raise war party of friendly Indians, 

reasons, 

“ “ Tilton to, orders to concert measure to take Nelson and other 

Indians, 

“ “ to Tilton, reports expedition of Yesler and Lieut. Neely to 

lakes, 

“ “ Tilton to, Capt. Dent will make scout to lake Washington, 

“ “ to Tilton, reports Lieut. Denny’s scout to prairies, 

“ General Tilton to, naval force will protect Seattle instead of 
company “A,” 

LAYTON, Maj., action on Burnt river, 

LONE TREE POINT, block-house built at, 


34G 

347 

348 

348 

350 

352 

356 

356 

359 

169 

70-72 


M. 


MALONEY, C^pt. M., ordered into the field, 160 

requision upon, for troops, arms, &c., 180, 181 

report of, to Maj. Rains, 181 


MASON, Gov., express to Gov. Stevens, 

arrangements of, for relief of Gov. Stevens, 

letter to, Gov. Douglass acknowledging receipt of supplies, 

requests arms and ammunition from Capt. Sterrit, 

“ . “ “ “ “ “ Pease, * 104 

“ Lieut. Drake to remain, 

informs Capt. Sterrit and Pease of the check of Maj. Haller, 
suggests Seattle as the station of the “Decatur,” 

“ the cruising ground of the “Jeff. Davis,” 
requests men from the “Decatur” for Fort Steilacoom, 


to the officer commanding Pacific squadron, requesting a steamer, 108, 

Capt. Sterritt to, as to a cruise, 

“ “ requesting arms, &c., 

to Capt. Gansevoort, requesting co-operation with office of the Indian 

department. 110, 

to Gen. Wool, requesting ammunition, &c., 
to ordnance officer, as to arms, 
to Col. Ripley, as to arms, 

to Major Rains, as to affairs in the interior, 156, 

Major Rains to, 158, 159, 

calls for volunteers, 160 

a 


I 

to Major Rains, requesting arms, &e., 

to Lieut. Withers, in reference to a company of rangers, 

Major Rains to, as to operation in the Yakima, 
requests troops to move into the Yakima, 

Lieut. Nugen to, 

Capt. Maloney to, as to operations on White and Green rivers, 
requisition upon Capt. Keys for arms, &c., 

Capt. Keyes to, 190,191,192 

to Capt. Eaton, to raise rangers, 


62 

65 

103 

103 

105 

106 
106 
107 
107 
107 
109 

109 

110 


111 

130 

151 

152 
157 
160 
181 
161 
\62 
163 
180 
183 
186 
188 


196 

273 



INDEX. 


VII 


PAGE. 


, MASON, Gov., orders to report at Steilacoom, 274 

Capt, G. Hays reports to, 276, 278 

to Capt. G. Hays, 277 

Capt. Hewitt to, Capt. Maloney falls back ; high water prevents a junc¬ 
tion, 345 

Capt: J. R. Jackson to, • •. 372 

to Capt. Kelly, as to organization, &c., 380, 381 

Capt. Kelly to, 38 i 

Capt. McCorkle to, 383 

C^pt. Strong to, 387 

MAXON, Captain, ordered to the Sound, 69, 238 

general scouting orders to, 292 

to, confidential duty suspended, scout'South Bay, 297 

N from, reports scout to South Bay, Johnson’s Point, &c., 299 

to, ordered to scout up Nisqually, and proceed to Connell’s, . ** 300 

sends in Wren, Smith and others, as prisoners, 301 

reports scout to Michel’s prairie and vicinity, 306 

McALLISTER, Lieutenant, . 183, 186 


McCARVER, General, to Governor Stevens as to co-operation, 


97 


MCCLELLAND, Hon. R. B., Governor Stevens to, 


59 


McCORKLE, instructions to, 
report of, 

General Tilton to, 


382 

383 

384 


MILLER, General, orders to as to supplies, transportation, &c-., 221, 222, 223, 

[ 226, 229, 230, 231, 232. 233, 234 
to Governor Stevens. 222, 224, 225, 227, 228 

MILES, Col., killed. 185 

MILLER, Captain, report of scout to Lackamas prairie. 303 

MOORE, Lieut. R. S., reports Lieut. Slaughter’s arrival. 279 


MORRIS, Col., to Governor Stevens, 155 , 

MOSES, Col. A. B., killed. 185 

MUCKLESHOOT PRAIRIE, regular troops at, 71 

head quarters of hostile Indians. 73 


N. 


NACHESS PASS, plan of movement over, 
movement of troops over. 

NEELY, Lieut., instructions to, 

Col. Fitzhugli to, 
to Col. Fitzhugh, 

NESMITH, Col., operations of, in the Yakima. 


78 

83 

364 

370 

371 

163 


NEZ PERCES, friendly messages of. to Col. Shaw, 
exhibit hostility, 
one-half become hostile, 
causes of disaffection of, 

Col. Wright’s quasi peace with. 


86, 87 
87 

89, 91, 92, 
92 
94 


VJII 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

NORTHCRAFT, killed. 

NORTHERN INDIANS, attack upon by Captain Swartwout, 124, 129 

NUGEN, Lieut., as to White river outbreak, 183 

calls for volunteers, 183 

as to state of the country, 184 

requests ammunition, 184 

as to the attack upon the express, 185 

as to the battle on White river, 185 

. as to the battle on Green river, * # 185 

to Col. Shaw, as to sufficincy of U. S. troops. • 209 

0 . 

** • ■ 

OPERATIONS, military condition of, 71, 76, 81 

ORDNANCE OFFICER, report of, 57 

PACK TRAIN, capture of, 47, 48 

PEABODY, Captain, report of, 330 

PEASE, Captain, furnishes arms and ammunition, 104, 105 

reports arrival at Steilacoom, 105 

informed of the check of Major Haller, 106 

cruising ground suggested, 107 

furnishes two twelve pounders, 108 

suggestions as to volunteers, 108 

requests return of guns, 116, 117 

PEU-PEE-MOX-MOX, capture and death of, 64, 65 

influence of, to be dreaded, 159 

PIERRE CHARLES, to Governor Stevens as to scout. 380 

PLUMMER, Captain, company of, accepted into service. 318 

PROPERTY, volunteer, report of sale of. 95 

PUGET SOUND, defence of lower part of. * 320 

Q. 

QUARTERMASTER GENERAL, report of, * 50 

department, officers of, 51 

“ • organization of, 51 

“ operations of. 50, 54 

QUIEMITH, in the Nesqually bottom. 69 

R. 

RABBESON, Capt., reports scout to Nisquaily and Puyallup rivers. 308 

RAINS, Major G. J., to Gov. Mason, . isg, 159 

sends troops into the field, 158, 159 

as to the fight of Major Haller, 1 G 0 

calls for volunteers, 160 



INDEX. 


IX 


PAGE. 


RAINS, Majos G. J., requested to furnish arms, &c., IGL 

operations of in the Yakima, ' ltj 3 

Capt. Maloney to, ‘ ) jgl 

Capt. Strong to, as to disbanding, 335 

to Capt. Strong, 33 g 

REGULARS, relations between, and volunteers, 69, 79 


REINFORCEMENTS, called for, 

REPORT of Adjutant General, 
Capt. of engineers, 
ordnance officer, 


quartermaster and commissary general, 50 

Burns, surgeon, 40 

Shaw, Lieut. Col., 42 

killed and wounded at Grand Rondo, 46 

RILEY, Capt., orders to build block-house at Lone Tree Point, 282 

has raised men and will move to Lone Tree Point, 283 

RIPLEY, Col., Gov. Mason to, 152 

to governor of the territory, . 153 

Gov. Steven 3 to, 154 

to Gov. Stevens. 155 

RUSSELL, Capt., Governor Stevens to, 174, 175 

RUTH, Adjt., reports block house finished at Camp Connell, 289 


S 


f 


SHAW, Col., report of, * 42 

moves from Camp Montgomery, 83 

plan of operations in Walla Walla, 84 

success of expedition, 85, 86 

appointment of, Assistant Adjutant General, 97 

.ordered to raise a company of rangers, 162 

march of, over the Nachess pass, 168 

battle of, at Grand Round, 16£ 

in charge of expedition east of the mountains, 234 

instructions to, 235,236 

receives commission of Assistant Adjutant General, 236 

to Gen. Tilton as to raising men and horses, ! 237 

to Governor Stevens, as to recruiting in Oregon' 239 

battalion of ordered to the Sound, ' 240 

elected Lieut. Col., 241 

instructions to, on the line of the Nesqually, s 242 

as to expedition across the mountains, 244 

recruitiilg for the expedition, . 245 

sends an express to Col. Wright, • 247 

determines to move over the Nachess pass, 250 

ordered to turn over certain posts to Col, Casey, 251 

instructions of, as to operations in the interior, 252, 255 

reports arrival on the Wenass, 257 

report of march to Walla Walla, 258 

Governor Stevens to, approving his operations, 260 

2 


X 


JNDEX. 


PAGE. 

SHAW, Col., as to disposition of tlie Nez Perces, 261 

necessity for recruits, . 262 

Capt. Goff to reporting battle of Burnt river, 263 

Gov. Stevens to, as to raising additional forces, 265 

“ “ as to council at Walla Walla, 266 

to Col. Craig, as to battle at Grand Ronde, 266 

“ “ council with the Nez Perces, 267 

to the Chiefs of the Nez Perces, 268, 270 

to Governor Stevens, as to the council, s 268 

to Col. Craig, as to the council at Walla Walla, 269 

to the chiefs of the various friendly tribes, 270 

to Col. Craig, as to the division among tlie chiefs, 272 

SLAUGHTER, Lieut., takes the field, 158 

falls back to White river, 182 

battle of, at White river, * ' 185, 186, 187 

death of, 191 


SCRIP, amount of issued, 50, 51, 95 

“ “ cancelled, 51, 95 

SEATTLE, attack on, 1 67 

garrisoned by volunteers, 70 

naval forces at, • 71 

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR, Governor Stevens to, 59 

STARKE, Col., operations of at Cascades, . 99 

STEPTOE, Lieut. Col., order of, 59 

sent to Walla Walla, 86 

camp of, 87 

refusal of, to comply with requisition of Gov. Stevens, 8 S 

battle of, with the hostile Indians, 89 

grass of, burnt, 89 

sends assistance to Gov. Stevens, 90, 91 

builds a block house, 91 

report of as to conduct of volunteers, . 93 

“ “ “ “ to camp &c., 176 

“ “ “ as to sending a force to council ground, 177, 178, 179 

STERRETT, Capt., furnishes arms,&c., 103, 104 

informed of the check of Major Haller, 106 

requested to remain at Seattle, 106 

“ to spare men-to defend Fort Steilacoom, 101 

as to cruising in the Sound, 109 

requesting arms, &c., 110 

STEVENS, Governor Isaac I., message of, t 1 

general orders of, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 47, 48 

letter of, to Hon. R. B,, McClelland, * 59 

“ “ Jefferson Davis, 60, 61, 62, 68 , 70, 77, 81, 82, 83, 84, 

[ 85, 87, 94, 95, 96 

to Secretary of War, requesting arms and ammunition, 60 

as to the Walla Walla valley, 61 

return from Blackfoot country, 62 

receives intelligence of the war, # 62 

council with Nez Terces, 62 


INDEX. 


XI 


PAGE. 

STEVENS, Governor Isaac I., council with Cceur d’Alenes, 63 

“ with Spokanes, 63 

Nez Perces, allies of, * * (34 

troops for relief of, disbanded by Gen. Wool, • 65 

prefers charges against Gen. Wool, 6( 

calls for six companies of volunteers, 66 

raises a force of friendly Indians, 67 

relations with Cols. Casey and Wright, 67 

judgment of, as to the measures to be adopted, 71, 74, 76 

prepares maps for Secretary of war, 71 

' suggestions to Capt. Gansevoort, 72 

influence of ever Nez Perces, 75 

reasons of, for six months volunteers, 76 

orders troops from Columbia river to the Sound, 76 

“ supplies, &c., at Walla Walla, 76 

plan of operations of, 77 , 81 

organizes a troop of horsemen at Camp Montgomery, 80 

“ for the Walla Walla country, 80 

estimate of expenses, 81 

apprehensions as to tribes between Cascades and Bitter Root, 82 

disbands the volunteers. 84 

council with the Indians cast of the Cascades, 87 

pack train of, captured, , 87 

requisition of, on Col. Steptoe, 88 

understanding with Col. Wright, 88 

refusal of Col. Steptoe, 88 

opening of the council, , 89 

meets with Kamiakan, 89 

propositions to the Indians, . 89 

attacked by the Indians, 90 

result of attack, , 91 

Indians engaged, 91 

failure to treat with Indians, 91 

attempt of Looking Glass to betray, 92 

issue with Col. Wright as to his operations, 94 

reports sales of volunteer property, 95 

appoints B. F. Shaw Assistant Adjutant General. 97 

letters of, to Gov. Curry, 97, 99 

to Captain Gansevoort, 111, 112 

to Captain Swartwout, 114, 118, 119, 121, 122 

as to affairs in the upper country, 122, 123 

to General Wo.ol, 131-139, 143, 150 

defence of, and state of affairs of the country east of the Cascades, 131-139 
reports General Wool, 139 

to Col. Ripley, 154, 155 

Col. Morris to, 155 

to Col. Wright a3 to joint operations, 164 

“ “ as to occupation of Walla Walla, 166 

“ “ as to the Walla Walla and Snake river Indians, 167 

“ “ as to the march of Col. Shaw, 168 

is ready to take charge of such Indians as become friendly, 16S 

in reference to Leschi, Nelson, &c., 199, 171 

to Col. Wright as to affair at Grand Ronde, 169 

to Col. Steptoe, in reference to the council, 172, 173 


XII 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

STEVENS, Governor Isaac I., attack on pack train. 174 

oilers wagon-boat, 174 

to Captain Russell, in reference to the Council, 174 

“ “ sending wagon-boat, • 175 

to Col. Casey, as to General arrangements of the volunteer forces, 176 

as to the occupation of Lone Tree Point, 178 

to Gol. Casey, as to his call for volunteers, 201 

as to operation of the forces on the Snohomish and Nesqually 204 

as to the Cowlitz river pass, 205 

proposed operation through the Snoqualrnie pass, 206 1 

proposes to turn over certain posts, 207 

practicability of the Snoqualrnie pass, 208 

' orders certain posts to be turned over, 209 

as to certain murders at Steilaccom and White river, 210 

as to certain Indians encamped at Fort Steilacoom 211 

requisite assistance to capture Lesclii, &c., 212, 214 

relative conduct of the whites and Indians on the Sound, 214 

encloses to Col. Casey instructions of Col. Wright to Major Garnett, 216 

reasons for declining to receive the Indians encamped'at Fort Steilacoom, 219 
reply of, to Col. Craig’s views, as to treatment of Indians, 219 

to Gen. Miller, as to supplies and transportation, 221, 222, 223, 226, 

[ 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234' 

]mts Col. Shaw in charge of operations east of the mountains, 234, 235 

orders Captain Maxon to the Sound, 238 

orders battalion of Col. Shaw to the Sound, 240 

instructions to Col. Shaw on the line of the Nesqually, 242 

to Col, Shaw, as to the expedition across the mountains, 246 

* desires Gapt. Golf to push forward, 247 

adopts views of Col. Shaw as to Nachess pass, 249 

orders certain’posts to be turned over to Col. Casey, 251 

instructions to Col. Shaw as to operations in the interior, 252, 255 

“ to Captain Goff, “ “ * 252, 254 

to Col. Craig, “ “ 254 

to Col. Shaw, as to his operations in the Yakima, 260 

“ “ as to raising more volunteers, . 265 

“ “ ns to Council at Walla Walla, 266 

Col. Shaw to, as to the Council, 268 

to Col. Craig, “ “ 271 

to Capt. Swiqdal, accepts service of company, 280 

to Capt. Henness, orders to scout, 280 

Capt. Swindall to, block-house at Skookum Bay, 281 

“ reports for duty at Montgomery's, 282 

to Capt. Riley, establish post at Lone Tree Point. 282 

to Capt. White, movement of troops and trains to Montgomery’s, post 

erected, &c., 283 

to Major Hays, orders for movement upon Puyallup, 284 

“ “ march to Muckleslioot, notes, &c., regard to, 285 

Major Hays to, reports arrival at Camp Connell, proper place for de¬ 
pot* 287 

Major Hays to, reports fight with Indians at Connell’s, 290 

“ “ “ reports the completion of Fort Hays, • 295 

to Major Hays, expressing gratification as to his operations, 297 

oo Capt. Maxon, confidential duty suspended, scout to (South Bay, &c., 297 

» 




INDEX. 


XIII 


PAGE. 

STEVENS, Governor Isaac I., Major Hays to, reports completion of block-house 

on White river and general movements of the enemy, 298 

Capt. Miller to, reporting scout to Lackamas prairie and surrounding 

country, - . 303 

to Major Hays, accepting resignation, • 304 

to Capt.^windall, orders to build block-house at South prairie, and to 

communicate with Lieut. Col. Shaw, 305 

Capt. Swindall to, completion of block-house and sending out scout, 306 

Capt. Rabbeson to, reports scout to Nisqually and Puyallup rivers, 308 

to Capt. Swindall, orders to turn over Fort Hicks to Col. Casey; Lieut. 

Coles’ company to be disbanded ; Lieut. Neely’s company move to 
Seattle and disband, 310 

to Ebey, no volunteers except for six months, ordered to disband com¬ 
pany, * v 319 

to Ebey, requested to raise volunteers in Whatcom, Island, &c., 319 

to Major Van Bokkelin, general orders for Battalion, 320 

programme for defense of lower part of Puget Sound, 320 

“ * “ “ “ Bellingham Bay, 321 

to Capt. Ebey, importance of posts above Snoqualmie Falls, 322 

Van Bokkelin to, no transportation from Fort Hays to Snoqualmie, 326 

Van Bokkelin to, no transportion from Fort Hays to Snoqualmie, and 

description of route, &c., 226, 227 

to Van Bokkelin, special thanks of Commander-in-chief, ' 328 

Van Bokkelin to, reports scout to head of Puyallup, 329 

“ “ Snoqualmie pass, snow, election of officers, 336 

to Fitzhugh, msssengers of Te-i-ass and Ow’ni, Indians, Col. Shaw, 337 

Fitzliugh to, reports failure to bring in Te-i-ass and Owhi’s people and 

the causes therefor, 339 

to Van Bokkelin, wagon and pack train over Snoqualmie pass, 340 

Van Bokkelin to, reports from Snoqualmie pass, 341 

to Capt. Lander, no volunteers accepted, except for general defence, 346 

Lander to, relative to “Active” cruizing on Sound, 348 

to Crosbie, notes, boat expedition to the lake, defence of Seattle, block¬ 
houses, , 350 

Col. Fitzhugh to, . 368,370 

to Col. Crosbie, 375 

Capt. Warbass to, 376 

to Col. Ford, 377 

Col.Eord to, ‘ 378 

Pierre Charles to, 380 

to Lieut. Huger, 589? 394 

to Capt. Hathaway, 392 

to Capt. Kelly, 403, 404, 405 

Capt. Kelly to, • 405 

SOUTH PRAIRIE, post established at, 78 

♦ 

STRONG, Capt. Wm., to Major Rains, as to being disbanded, 385 

Major Rains to, 386 

tp Gov. Mason, 387 

Gen. Tilton to, 388 

SWARTWOUT, Captain, Governor Stevens to, 72, 114, 118, 119, 121, 12-2 

to Governor Stevens, 115, 120, 123, 124 

attack upon the Northern Indians, 124-129 


XIV 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

SWINDALL, Captain, Gov. Stevens to, accepting service, 280 

builds block house, Skookum Bay, 281 

reports for duty at Montgomery's, 282 

ordered to build block house on South Prairie, and communicate with 

Col. Shaw r , • 305 

reports completion of block house, and sending out scouts, , 306 

“ scout up Nisqually and killing Indians, 309 

T. 

TENALQUOT PLAINS, block house built at, 78 

TILTON, Adjutant General, to Gov. Douglass, requesting supplies, Ac., 100 

Gov. Douglas’s letters to, sending supplies, 101, 102 

Captain Pease to, 108 

to Captain Alden,as to ammunition and transportation, 113 

Captain Alden to, 113 

Captain Pease to, 116, 117 

to Captain Pease, HO 

Lieut. Nugen to, 183, 184, 1S5, 188, 200 

as to death of White and Northcraft, 199 

to Gen. Miller, as to enrolling troops, 233 

to Col. Crosbie, 238 

Captain DeLacy to, 248 

Col. Shaw to, 250, 257, 258 

Capt. Wallace reports for duty to, 276 

to Captain Wallace, . 278 

Lieut. It. S. Moore, reports to, 279 

to Captain G. Hays, orders, 281 

to Major Hays, suggestions for post at Connell’s, approved, 288 

from Adjutant Ruth to, reports block house erected at Connell’s, 289 

to Capt. Maxon, general scouting orders, 292 

to Major Hays, tendering thanks for gallantry of officers and men at 

battle of Connell’s prairie, 294 

Capt. Maxon to, reports scout to South Bay, Johnson's Point, &c., 299 

“ “ orders to Scout up Nesqually, and proceed to Connell’s, 300 

Maxon to, sends Wren, Smith and others as prisoners, 301 

to Major Hays, orders to open road from Fort Hays to South prairie, 

and build block house there, 302 

to Hays, advises him of Maxon’s fight, and orders a march to head of 

Nisqually to open road, &c., 303 

Maxon to, reports scout to Michel’s prairie, and vicinity, 306 

Svindall to, reports scout up Nesqually, and killing Indians, 309 

to Lieut. Huger, ordered to inspect and report upon rourt from Connell’s 

to Snoqualmie pass for teams, &c., i 310 

Captain Ebey to, reports organizing of company on Whidby’s Island, 

with views of operations on lower part of Sound, 311 

“ “ reports Northern Rangers organized, 312 

to Capt. Ebey, company accepted, guard against collision with friendly 314 
tribes, 314 

Ebey to, his command on Snohomish, Pat Kanim at his camp, 315 

“ “ reports even chances of hostility or friendship of the Snoqual¬ 
mie, and Skawamish tribes, 315 


INDEX. XV 

i*ag£. 

TILTON to Ebey, expedition up Suoqualmie suspended; keep company at Port 

Townsend, 317 

“ “ ordered to garrison the block-house at Crescent harbor, 317 

to Captain Plummer; company accepted into service, 318 

Van Bokkelen to, reports his expedition up Suoqualmie river, and build¬ 
ing Fort Tilton, 323 

Capt. Howe to; has marched up Snoquahnie river, 324 

Captain Peabody, reports to, 330 

“ Howe “ 332 

to Van Bokkelen, orders to turn over to Col. Shaw the post occupied 

by him and proceed to Nachess pass, 333 

Van Bokkelen to, requires oxen at Ranger’s prairie, 336 

“ “ reports return from Suoqualmie pass, and scouts from 

Yakima, 343 

to Capt. Hewett, sends commission, with orders to report to Captain 

Malony, * 344 

“ “ steamer “ Traveler ” will convey Company “H” to junc¬ 
tion of White and Green rivers, • 346 

to Captain Lander, orders to employ Indians as war party for expedition 

up Duwamsh, . 347 

Lander to, fails to raise war party of friendly Indians, reasons, 348 

to Col. Crosbie, ordered to Seattle; boat expedition to Lake Duwamsh, 350 

to Lander, ordered to conceit measures to apprehend Nelson and other 

Indians, 351 

Lander to, reports expedition of Yessler and Lieut Neely to lakes, 352 

to Lander, Captain Dent will make scout to lake Washington, 356 

Lander to, reports Lt. Denny’s scout to prairie, 356 

to Lander, naval force will pi’otect Seattle, instead of Co. A, 359 

to Lieut. Denny, ordered to march to Fort Hays, 359 

Lieut. Denny to, declines to obey marching orders, 360 

to Lieut. Denny, as to cutting road, 361 

“ “ suspending him from command, 364 

instructions of to Lieut. Neely, 364 

“ “ to Col. Fitzhugh, as to Company A, 367 

* “ “ to Col. Crosbie, 373 

Col. Crosbie to, 373, 376 

Captain Warbass to, 379 

instructions of, to Captain McCorkle, 382, 384 

to Captain Bratton, 385 

to Captain Strong, 388 

to Lieut. Huger, 391 • 

Lieut. Huger to, 394, 395 

Captain Kelly to, 400 

to Captain Kelly, 402 

Lieut. Biles to, 402 

V. 

VAN BOKKELIN, Maj., general orders for battalion, 320 

reports his expedition up Snoqualmie river and building Fort Tilton, 323 

to Gov. Stevens ; no transportation from Fort Hays to Snoqualmie ; 

description of route, Ac., _ 326, 327 

Gov. Stevens to, special thanks of Commander-in-chief, 328 


XVI 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

VAN BOKKELEN, Maj. to Gov. Stevens, reports scout to head of Puyallup, 320 

Tilton to, orders to turn over to Col. Shaw the post occupied by his com¬ 
mand and proceed to Nahchess pass, 333 

to Gen. Tilton, report of march from Fort Hays to Rangers’ prairie, 335 

“ “ requires oxen at Rangers’ prairie, 336 

to Gov. Stevens, Snoqualmie pass, snow, election of officers, &c., 336 

Gov. Stevens to, wagon and pack trains over Snoqualmie pass, 340 

to Gov. Stevens, report from Snoqualmie pass, 341 

to Gen. Tilton, reports return from Snoqualmie pass and scouts from 

Yakima, • 343 

VOLUNTEERS, relations between, and regulars, 69, 79 

disbanding of, 84, 86 

conduct of, . . 93 

called for by Lieut. Nugen, 183 

“ “ Col. Casey, 200 

W. 

WALLA WALLA VALLEY, as a site for a military post, 61 

troops organized for, 80 

ferry necessary at, 80 

supplies should be accumulated at, 80 

success of expedition to, 85 

WALLACE, Capt. W. H., • 183,184,185,187 

reports for duty, 276 

ordered to report to Capt. Maloney, 278 

WARBASS, Capt., to Gov. Stevens, 370 

to Gen. Tilton, 373 

WAR, notice, ^ 

origin of, ' « 

ground, ^ 

west of Cascades, *7 H hTQ 

• i y ( U 

east of Cascades, ‘ 

WHITE, Capt., ordered to move to montgomery’s, 283 

WHITE, Wm., killed, 

WITHERS, Lieut., will equip the volunteers, 232 

Gov. Mason to, 

WOOL, Gen., disbands troops for relief of Gov. Stevens, 65 

statements of, 

, „ 60 , 66 

charges preferred against, 6( , 

visits the Sound, 

diiects Col. Casey to make requisition tor two companies of volunteers, 74 

points of difference between, and Gov. Stevens, 75 

what sent here for, ' ^ 

to Governor of Territory, 13g 

Gov. Mason to, 

Gov. Stevens to, rvi ,i<> 1rn 

returns letters of Gov. Stevens, Hn ln 




INDEX. XVII 

PAGE. 

WRIGHT, Col., operations of, 79 

march of into the Yakima, 79 

meets with the Indians, 79 

attempts to treat, 79 

sends for reinforcements, 79 

delay on the Nalichess, 82 

sends Col. Steptoe to Walla Walla, 86 

understanding of Gov. Stevens with, 88 

management of, in the Yakima, '92 

the cause of the disaffection of the Nez Perces, 92 

quasi peace of, with Nez Perces, 94 

to Gov. Stevens, as to his plan of operations, 165 

Indians living by, 166 

does not intend to occupy Walla Walla, 167 

in reference to Leschi, Nelson, &c., 170 

YAKIMA COUNTRY, operations of Col. Wright in, 79 

supplies should be accumulated in, 80 


















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